Title: BALD Token Surge Sparks Rumors of Ties to Alameda Research
Introduction
The recent explosive surge in the value of the BALD token on the Coinbase-backed Base network, followed by a sudden decline, has caught the attention of the cryptocurrency community. Speculation and investigations on Twitter have sparked rumors of a possible connection between BALD and Alameda Research, a prominent trading firm. This article examines the available information to shed light on this intriguing situation.
Investigation by Igor Igamberdiev
Igor Igamberdiev, Head of Research at Wintermute, conducted a thorough analysis of the BALD token’s deployer. According to his findings, the deployer is likely associated with Alameda Research, although he currently lacks concrete evidence to support this claim.
Igamberdiev’s analysis focused on the transaction activities of the BALD deployer’s address and its interactions with various crypto exchanges. While initially suspected to be linked to Coinbase due to its position as a large holder on DeFi governance forums, further investigation revealed that the cbETH held by the address was acquired from Uniswap v3, rather than minted by Coinbase.
Significant interactions with major exchanges such as Binance, FTX, and Coinbase suggested potential ties to Alameda. Igamberdiev also identified an old wallet, known as 0x000f7f, which exhibited substantial trading activity associated with multiple platforms including Oasis DEX, 0x v2.1, dYdX v2, and Set Protocol. Notably, this wallet was observed to have significant interactions with FTX and Alameda.
The Old Wallet’s Involvement
The old wallet was linked to an ex-top trader on dYdX v3 and had voted for the first proposals on SushiSwap. It also engaged in farming activities involving COMP, SUSHI, BDP, SWRV, CREAM, and STG, while receiving POAP from the Yearn launch. Based on the wallet’s track record and its lack of interactions with other significant players expected for a wallet of its size, Igamberdiev concluded that the BALD deployer is likely associated with Alameda.
Additional Speculations
Data analyst Andrew T from Blockworks also highlighted connections between the BALD deployer’s ETH address and Binance and Alameda Research. Fund manager Adam Cochran suggested that the BALD developer could be either Alameda’s Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) or another employee, given their involvement in the early voting on Sushi governance.
Initial suspicions were directed towards SBF as the potential creator of BALD, but journalist Tiffany Fong confirmed that due to SBF’s house arrest and limited access to technology, he would not have been able to create a new coin. This amendment came after the founder of Bankless, Ryan Sean Adams, initially raised concerns about SBF’s involvement in the alleged scam.
Conclusion
As the crypto community continues to investigate and discuss the BALD coin and its deployer, one thing remains clear: the market’s vigilance and commitment to transparency. While speculation points to potential ties between BALD and Alameda Research, conclusive evidence is yet to be presented. Further examination and analysis are required to establish any concrete connections and determine the true identity of the BALD token deployer.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available information and does not confirm or deny any allegations or speculations. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risks, and readers should conduct their own research and due diligence before making any investment decisions.
