New Report Claims 62% of Crypto Press Releases Were Tied to High-Risk or Scam Projects

A new analysis by Chainstory of 2,893 crypto press releases published between June and November 2025 suggests that the majority of content distributed through crypto newswires comes from high-risk or scam-flagged projects.

According to the research, more than 62% of press releases originated from issuers classified as High Risk or confirmed Scam. Only about 27% came from projects categorized as Low Risk, defined as entities with transparent teams and regulatory registration in stricter jurisdictions.

48.98% of all press releases focused on product or feature updates, while 23.99% covered trading, listing, or exchange-related announcements. Only 58 out of 2,893 releases (approximately 2%) were related to funding, venture capital, or corporate finance announcements.

Tone analysis found that only 10% of releases were neutral. Approximately 54% were categorized as Overstated and 19% as Promotional, leaving only about 10% classified as Neutral.

The findings highlight how crypto press release distribution has become a primary channel for token promotions, exchange announcements, and presale marketing, frequently bypassing traditional newsroom scrutiny.

Crypto Press Release Volume Is Dominated by High-Risk and Scam-Flagged Projects

The research applied a structured risk framework to each issuing project, focusing on the probability of financial loss for users engaging with the platform or token.

Projects categorized as High Risk accounted for 35.6% of total releases. Confirmed Scam issuers represented another 26.9%. Together, these categories comprised more than 62% of press release activity.

By contrast, only around 27% of issuers met the study’s Low Risk criteria. These projects were defined as having identifiable leadership, operational transparency, and regulatory registration in stricter jurisdictions such as the United States or the United Arab Emirates. Roughly 10% were classified as Medium Risk, typically newer ventures with limited operating history.

Certain verticals showed heavier concentration. Cloud mining platforms, yield-based investment schemes, token presales, and anonymous DeFi launches were frequently observed across distribution networks. In segments such as cloud mining, roughly 90% of issuers were classified as High Risk or Scam.

The imbalance suggests that crypto press release distribution is disproportionately used by projects operating at elevated risk levels rather than by established entities communicating verified corporate developments.

How Crypto Newswires Bypass Editorial Gatekeeping and Sell Guaranteed Placement

Traditional press wires distribute announcements to journalists, who decide whether a story meets editorial standards.

Many crypto newswires operate differently.

For a fixed fee, projects can secure guaranteed publication across multiple crypto media sites and financial domains. Placement is contractual, not editorial.

Several crypto PR distribution services explicitly advertise guaranteed placement across 50–100+ partner sites for a fixed fee.

Because publication is guaranteed, content does not pass through independent newsroom review. Releases are typically published as submitted, aside from formatting or basic compliance screening.

On partner sites, press releases appear in dedicated sections but often resemble standard news articles in structure and layout. The distinction may rely on a small label rather than visual separation.

Syndication multiplies visibility. A single announcement can appear across dozens of domains, creating the appearance of widespread coverage.

To amplify the impact, projects frequently use these links in marketing materials under “As Seen On” banners, leveraging brand association rather than independent validation.

The result is a parallel publishing channel within crypto media, where distribution is driven by payment rather than editorial selection.

Market Impact, Pump-and-Dump Parallels, and Regulatory Risk

Press releases have long played a role in market manipulation cases.

According to U.S. SEC data, 73% of documented OTC pump-and-dump schemes between 2002 and 2015 involved press releases. In 2022, authorities charged 16 defendants in a $194 million stock manipulation scheme that relied in part on coordinated promotional campaigns.

The mechanics are familiar. Positive announcements, such as exchange listings, partnerships, or token launches, can increase short-term trading activity even when underlying fundamentals remain unchanged.

In crypto markets, where sentiment drives volatility, paid press distribution can amplify that effect. Some trading systems scan headlines for trigger words such as “launch” or “partnership,” reacting without assessing source credibility.

The issue also intersects with consumer protection standards governing native advertising. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines native advertising as content that closely resembles surrounding editorial material. When paid crypto announcements are presented in formats that mirror independent reporting, the distinction between advertising and journalism may not be sufficiently clear under transparency guidelines.

Taken together, the data suggest that crypto press release distribution has evolved into a marketing-first ecosystem rather than a news-driven channel. With the majority of releases originating from high-risk or scam-flagged projects, and most content centered on promotional updates rather than material corporate developments, the report raises broader questions about transparency, media standards, and the role of paid distribution in shaping market perception.

On TheHolyCoins, we have also examined how early-stage crypto presales rely on aggressive promotional campaigns, including press releases and sponsored distribution, ahead of token launches.

In one recent case, Lightchain AI raised approximately $21 million during its presale before launching on Uniswap, where the token later experienced a sharp price decline. In many crypto presales, aggressive pre-launch promotional amplification is followed by significant post-listing price drops as elevated expectations collide with actual market demand.