Uniswap CEO Warns of Scam Ads After $370M January Crypto Losses

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-21Last updated on 2026-02-21

Abstract

Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams has issued a warning about fraudulent ads impersonating the platform, following a reported incident where a user lost all their funds. This comes as January saw $370.3 million stolen in crypto scams, the highest in 11 months. Adams emphasized that scam ads persistently reappear on major search engines, often appearing as top results for keywords like “Uniswap,” leading users to connect their wallets and approve malicious transactions. One user shared a story of losing a mid-six-figure sum despite being cautious. A single social engineering scam accounted for $284 million of the total losses.

The chief executive officer of Uniswap, Hayden Adams, has alerted users regarding fraud ads mimicking the platform, underscoring a case in which someone reportedly lost everything. It comes following the highest amount of funds stolen in crypto scams in January in 11 months.

He also mentioned that scam ads keep returning regardless of years of reporting, and there were scam Uniswap apps while we waited months for App Store approval, Adams mentioned in an X post on February 20.

He further went on, mentioning that scammers are increasingly purchasing ads on famous search engines, targeting keywords such as “Uniswap”, so when any user searches it, the top result seems official.

Unsuspecting users may then associate their wallets and approve a transaction, permitting scammers to take out their complete funds.

User Shares His Story

A social media user named “Ika” mentioned in an X article named “I lost everything, what’s next?” that his crypto wallet contained a mid-six-figure range value, and it got swept regardless of extreme care.

The user further went on to write that, “Disciplined for two years. Half-searching for a Web3 job, half-hoping to make it quick enough not to need one. I trust that getting swept is not bad luck. It is the last result of a long chain of bad decisions.”

He also shared a screenshot of a top Google search result having an inauthentic Uniswap link. However, this isn’t the first time that Uniswap has faced this issue. In October 2024, scammers identified the lack of domain authority of the website and made a version of the site that seems exactly like the actual one, except that it showed a “connect” button where “get started” should have been and a “bridge” button where it mentions “read the docs”.

Now, the amount of cryptocurrency swept via exploits and scams was $370.3 million in January, the biggest monthly figure in 11 months and around four times the increase from January 2025.

CertiK mentioned that out of the 40 exploits and scams witnessed in January, the major portion of the total value stolen came from one victim that lost about $284 million because of a social engineering scam.

Highlighted Crypto News Today:

Cardano (ADA) Faces a Key Test: Sustainable Breakout or Classic Bull Trap?

TagsCEOlossUniswap

Related Questions

QWhat did the CEO of Uniswap warn users about in his February 20th X post?

AHayden Adams warned users about fraudulent ads mimicking the Uniswap platform, which have led to significant financial losses for victims.

QHow much cryptocurrency was stolen through exploits and scams in January according to the article?

A$370.3 million was stolen through exploits and scams in January, representing the highest monthly figure in 11 months.

QWhat tactic are scammers using to appear legitimate in search engine results?

AScammers are purchasing ads on famous search engines targeting keywords like 'Uniswap', making their fraudulent results appear at the top and seem official.

QWhat was the primary method behind the largest single theft of $284 million mentioned in the article?

AThe largest single theft of $284 million resulted from a social engineering scam.

QWhat did the user named 'Ika' report losing in the cryptocurrency scam?

AThe user named 'Ika' reported losing a mid-six-figure range value from his crypto wallet despite taking extreme care.

Related Reads

In Jinjiang, Fujian, a Storage Super Unicorn Lies Quiet

In Fujian's Jinjiang, a city known for sportswear, lies a quiet semiconductor giant: Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co. (JHICC). Once a promising domestic DRAM manufacturer alongside Yangtze Memory and ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), its journey was derailed in 2018 when the U.S. placed it on an Entity List and filed criminal charges for alleged trade secret theft. This halted production for years. A turning point came in February 2024 when a U.S. federal court found JHICC not guilty. However, it had lost crucial time. While CXMT soared to become a top-valued A-share company in 2024, JHICC, with an estimated valuation of 80 billion RMB, was just restarting. Its current output is primarily customized DDR4 chips, not the advanced DDR5/HBM demanded for AI, but it still benefits from the broader memory chip upcycle. JHICC's story is tied to Chen Zhengkun, a veteran engineer who left Micron to lead the venture. Founded in 2016 with state-backed funding, JHICC partnered with Taiwan's UMC to develop DRAM technology. Rapid progress was cut short by the U.S. actions, which Micron initiated, partly due to its heavy reliance on the Chinese market. Post-sanctions, Chen's team worked to rebuild the production line with reduced reliance on U.S. technology. According to its records, JHICC achieved small-scale production and revenue growth under immense pressure. It now focuses on the stable "niche" DRAM market (e.g., TVs, routers) with a monthly capacity of ~40,000 wafers, aiming for 60,000 by 2026. It holds over 1,000 patents but remains on the Entity List. For Jinjiang, investing in JHICC was a bold industrial leap. The local government provided unwavering financial and logistical support during the crisis, helping the company survive. JHICC has become the anchor for a growing local semiconductor cluster. Though its scale lags behind domestic peers, JHICC's persistence symbolizes a hard-won foothold in a global market long dominated by Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. Having missed one boom, it seeks a place in the new AI-driven memory supercycle.

marsbit22m ago

In Jinjiang, Fujian, a Storage Super Unicorn Lies Quiet

marsbit22m ago

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

**Summary: Key Events and Developments to Watch (August 3-9)** The upcoming week is marked by significant financial disclosures, key legislative deadlines, and notable product updates. **Major Financial Events:** Several companies are scheduled to release their Q2 2026 earnings. American Bitcoin (ABTC) will report on August 3, followed by SpaceX and Hut 8 Mining Corp. on August 4, and Circle on August 5. Notably, a significant portion of SpaceX shares (up to 12% of total shares) will be unlocked on August 6 following their earnings release. **Key Legislative Deadline:** The U.S. Senate faces an August 7 deadline to secure 60 votes for the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to establish a federal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The Senate may hold a full vote on the bill during the week. **Economic Data:** The U.S. July Non-Farm Payrolls report will be released on August 7, providing crucial labor market data. **Technology & Product Updates:** * **Shutdowns:** DeFi portfolio tracker Zapper and wallet app Ctrl Wallet will cease operations on August 3. * **Upgrades:** LayerZero will deprecate its v1 relayers on August 3. XRP Ledger's new version 3.3.0, featuring five new functions, is expected next week. * **AI:** Elon Musk announced that the advanced Grok 4.6 AI model is set for release around August 7. * **Bitcoin:** The BIP-110 forced signaling for a potential Bitcoin network change is scheduled to begin around August 8. **Other Notable Events:** Chinese robotics firm Unitree Tech has set its preliminary price inquiry for its IPO for August 5. South Korean exchange Upbit will delist AQT and AERGO tokens on August 3.

marsbit2h ago

Must-Watch Events Next Week|CLARITY Act Could Face Senate Vote; SpaceX, Circle to Report Earnings (8.3-8.9)

marsbit2h ago

Trading

Spot
活动图片