- Logan Paul dodged questions over his controversial CryptoZoo project by sending a lookalike to a BBC interview
- The BBC released a documentary titled “Logan Paul: Bad Influence?” investigating allegations of misleading fans into crypto investments
- Paul has faced criticism for his involvement in the CryptoZoo, which left investors at a loss after collapsing
YouTuber Logan Paul sent a lookalike to a BBC interview request concerning his collapsed CryptoZoo project in order to avoid having to answer questions about it. The incident was revealed in “Logan Paul: Bad Influence?”, a documentary examining claims that Paul profited by encouraging fans to invest in dubious crypto schemes. The documentary focused on Paul’s CryptoZoo project, which collapsed in 2022, leading to buyers suffering financial losses, trying and failing to get a comment from the real Logan Paul.
CryptoZoo Under the Microscope
CryptoZoo, Logan Paul’s ambitious blockchain-based project launched in 2021, was marketed as an interactive NFT game where players could purchase, trade, and breed “exotic animal” NFTs to earn rewards. The project promised innovation in the NFT space, capturing the attention of Paul’s vast fanbase and raising significant funds from investors.
However, the project quickly unraveled, with users reporting that the game never functioned as advertised. Many claimed they were left with worthless tokens and no access to the features they had been promised.
The fallout led to widespread backlash, with some investors accusing Paul of misleading them for personal financial gain. In January 2023, Paul publicly addressed the controversy, acknowledging the project’s failures. He apologized to investors, admitting to hiring developers who abandoned the project and pledging to work on refunding affected users, but these actions came too late for some, and skepticism remains about whether he can repair the damage caused by CryptoZoo’s collapse.
BBC Documentary Offers No Solace
The BBC’s documentary delves into Paul’s involvement in CryptoZoo and other cryptocurrency ventures, highlighting the impact on his followers who invested based on his endorsements. The film features interviews with affected investors and experts, shedding light on the broader implications of influencer-driven crypto promotions. The documentary aims to provide a comprehensive view of the risks associated with such investments and the responsibilities of public figures in promoting financial products.
Paul failed to respond to the BBC’s interview requests for months before finally accepting, only for a lookalike to attend in his place, an act that will not have gone down well with those who have lost money on his ventures.
Paul is now facing fresh allegations about his cryptocurrency dealings, with the BBC reporting that they have seen “new evidence to suggest he promoted investments without revealing he had a financial interest in them.” This could heap more pressure on the beleaguered YouTube star, who is already facing a multi-million-dollar class action lawsuit over CryptoZoo.
