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Inside BlockDAG’s $442m crypto maze of missing miners, unpaid employees, and breached contracts
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-15 18:46
Core Insights - BlockDAG, a blockchain project, has raised over $440 million since its presale launch in December 2023, but has faced significant operational and financial issues, including unpaid employees and unfulfilled sponsorship contracts [5][9][21] - Investors are increasingly concerned about the project's transparency and management, with many alleging they have been misled regarding the project's progress and financial handling [4][6][12] Financial Issues - Approximately 24 employees are owed over $140,000 for their work in December, and multiple sponsorship deals with football clubs have been terminated due to non-payment [1][2][21] - Internal investigations revealed that at least $110 million in presale funds were sent to crypto exchanges, with unclear tracking of these funds [7][10] Investor Concerns - Investors have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and transparency from BlockDAG's leadership, with many questioning the whereabouts of their investments [3][6][30] - The project initially promised a token listing on over 20 exchanges, but this has been reduced to just five, leading to concerns about token dilution and overall project viability [2][4] Project Management - BlockDAG's leadership has been criticized for its handling of finances and operational commitments, with reports of unpaid invoices and delayed deliveries of promised mining equipment [19][23][30] - The project's founder, Gurhan Kiziloz, has faced scrutiny due to his previous ventures and the project's lack of transparency regarding its operational status [40][42] Marketing and Promotion - BlockDAG's marketing strategy included high-profile sponsorships and aggressive promotions, which initially attracted investors but have since been called into question due to unmet commitments [5][26] - The project has faced regulatory scrutiny and allegations of unauthorized activities, further complicating its operational legitimacy [38][39]