Who Is Coffeezilla, the YouTube Detective Exposing Crypto Scams?

Introducing: Coffeezilla

Coffeezilla, whose real name is Stephen Findeisen, is a 38-year-old American YouTuber and citizen journalist who has gained significant prominence in the crypto investigation space. With over three million subscribers on YouTube, he has established himself as one of the most influential voices in exposing fraudulent activities within the cryptocurrency and web3 ecosystem. Stephen graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University, demonstrating his analytical background that would later prove valuable in his investigative work.

Coffeezilla launched his YouTube channel in 2018 and initially maintained an anonymous persona to protect his privacy and safety. However, his identity was compromised in 2020 when he was doxxed by malicious actors. The doxxing incident resulted in the publication of his full name, old address, and defunct phone number on various websites, along with false accusations designed to damage his reputation. This unfortunate event forced Stephen to address the situation publicly and acknowledge his real identity to his audience.

As a YouTube content creator, Coffeezilla has built his platform around investigating and exposing scams and fraudulent schemes perpetrated by self-proclaimed "financial gurus" and companies. After graduating from university, he began posting content on his YouTube channel while working for a local builder to support himself financially. His early content consisted of short videos discussing pop science topics, but his focus gradually evolved toward more critical commentary.

Stephen's content trajectory shifted significantly as he began critiquing individuals and companies promoting multi-level marketing schemes and exposing fake gurus who sold get-rich-quick programs that were detrimental to their audiences. As his subscriber base grew and his investigative skills sharpened, he started tackling larger and more complex online scams, particularly in the cryptocurrency, web3, and decentralized finance sectors.

Coffeezilla employs in-depth investigation techniques and comprehensive analysis to examine crypto influencers and blockchain projects. His goal is to educate his viewers about potential pitfalls and scams they may encounter in the largely unregulated crypto space. He has gained a strong reputation in the cryptocurrency community for exposing how fraudulent crypto projects exploit traditional celebrities and internet influencers to promote pump-and-dump schemes that leave ordinary investors with significant losses.

His critical and methodical approach to investigating these individuals and projects has made him one of the most notable and respected crypto investigators in the industry. Coffeezilla has called out numerous high-profile figures, including influencers like Dillon Danis, Jake Paul, and Logan Paul, as well as entrepreneurs such as Eddie Ibanez and the infamous Sam Bankman-Fried. His work has covered a wide range of prominent crypto scams, bringing accountability to an industry that often operates in regulatory gray areas.

The motivation behind Coffeezilla's investigative work has personal roots. In a 2022 podcast episode with Lex Fridman, Stephen revealed that his interest in exposing scams intensified after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. During her illness, he witnessed numerous snake oil salespeople attempting to peddle unproven health cures to his mother, which left him with a deep distaste for deceptive marketing practices and what he calls "grifters" who prey on vulnerable people.

During his college years, Coffeezilla observed his friends being drawn into multi-level marketing schemes and subscribing to ineffective financial advice magazines that promised wealth but delivered little value. These personal experiences motivated him to hunt down scammers and hold them accountable for their actions. When he discovered the cryptocurrency industry, he recognized that it had a significant problem with scams and fraudulent projects, yet few people were actively discussing or investigating these issues. He saw an opportunity to fill this gap and expose unethical practices in an emerging industry that desperately needed oversight.

The nature of Coffeezilla's work has not been without challenges. Creating videos that expose scams and directly call out celebrities and entrepreneurs has resulted in considerable backlash. The YouTuber has been threatened with legal action on multiple occasions and has received cease and desist letters from individuals and companies he has investigated. Additionally, he faces attacks from "investors" of the projects he exposes who are often in denial about being scammed and lash out at the messenger rather than accepting the reality of their situation.

The most severe attack occurred during the doxxing incident, when someone released his personal details to the public along with false and incriminating rumors, including allegations that he was a cocaine user and domestic abuser. These serious accusations forced Stephen to create a video addressing the situation and defending his character. Before this incident, he had successfully maintained a pseudonymous persona on his YouTube channel, which provided some level of personal security.

To protect himself from potential lawsuits and legal complications, Coffeezilla now adds disclaimers to all his videos stating that the contents are his opinions and should not be construed as statements of fact. This legal precaution allows him to continue his investigative work while minimizing the risk of defamation claims.

Why Is Coffeezilla Important?

Developments in recent years within the cryptocurrency and NFT (non-fungible token) sectors have attracted massive attention to web3 technologies and blockchain-based applications. However, this surge in mainstream interest has unfortunately been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the frequency and sophistication of scams, hacks, and fraudulent schemes within the industry. Independent investigators like Coffeezilla play a crucial role in making web3 safer by uncovering scams, exposing bad actors, and keeping crypto companies accountable for their actions and promises.

Coffeezilla and other independent sleuths are essential to the crypto ecosystem because the industry largely lacks proper regulation and formal oversight mechanisms. In the absence of robust regulatory frameworks, the cryptocurrency community is mostly left to self-monitor and self-police. This creates an environment where bad actors can operate with relative impunity unless community members take action. Moreover, most people lack the time, technical expertise, or investigative skills to conduct deep-dive research on crypto projects, making them vulnerable to sophisticated scams. They need guidance from experienced investigators like Stephen who can dedicate significant resources to thorough analysis.

Crypto investigators employ various techniques and leverage the transparent and immutable nature of blockchain technology to uncover fraudulent activities. Coffeezilla invests substantial time and resources to track down stolen cryptocurrency or NFTs, follow up on suspicious projects, and interview key figures involved in alleged scams. This commitment to investigative journalism aims to educate the public, protect potential victims, and ultimately make web3 a safer and more legitimate space for innovation and investment.

Rather than perpetuating an onboarding system that is shaky and riddled with a reputation for scams and fraud, investigators like Coffeezilla can help transform cryptocurrency into a more welcoming and trustworthy space for both enthusiasts and beginners. By exposing fraudulent projects early and holding bad actors accountable, these investigators help establish norms and expectations that can gradually improve the industry's reputation. As Coffeezilla himself has noted, his sense is that most reporters don't have the stomach for fraud investigations because they can't imagine another human could be so monstrous as to steal from others, and consequently, they tend to soften their coverage. His willingness to confront these uncomfortable truths head-on makes him particularly valuable to the crypto community.

How Does Coffeezilla Make Money?

Coffeezilla likely earns a significant portion of his revenue from his YouTube channel through the platform's advertisement program. YouTube shares a percentage of revenue from advertisements displayed on videos with content creators through its Partner Program. The amount a creator receives from the platform depends on various factors, including video engagement metrics, total views, watch time, and overall performance. Unlike many other YouTubers in the crypto and finance space, Coffeezilla maintains his independence and credibility by refusing to accept sponsorships from companies, which could create conflicts of interest in his investigative work.

Based on typical YouTube monetization rates, creators generally earn between $2 to $12 per 1,000 views, depending on factors such as audience demographics, content category, and advertiser demand. Given that Coffeezilla's videos regularly accumulate millions of views, his estimated earnings from YouTube advertising alone could be substantial, potentially reaching thousands of dollars per day during periods when he releases popular content.

In addition to YouTube advertising revenue, Coffeezilla operates a Patreon account where dedicated supporters can become channel members by donating $5 per month. In exchange for their support, Patreon members gain access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to certain videos. While the exact number of Patreon subscribers is not publicly disclosed, this membership program likely provides a stable and predictable income stream that supplements his YouTube earnings.

Another revenue source for the creator has been merchandise sales. Many successful YouTubers create and sell branded merchandise related to their content and channel identity, and Coffeezilla has run limited merchandise sales campaigns in the past. These merchandise drops typically include items such as t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories featuring his branding or catchphrases from his investigations. By maintaining multiple revenue streams while refusing sponsorships, Coffeezilla can fund his extensive investigations while preserving his editorial independence and credibility with his audience.

Alleged Scams Uncovered By Coffeezilla

Coffeezilla has established himself as one of the most prominent crypto investigators, known for his thorough research and successful exposure of numerous crypto scam projects. His investigations have led to increased awareness about fraudulent schemes and, in some cases, legal action against perpetrators. Let's examine some of the most notable alleged and confirmed fraud cases in the crypto markets that he has investigated and exposed.

CryptoZoo

Logan Paul, a prominent YouTuber and online influencer with millions of followers, first endorsed the CryptoZoo project in August 2021 during an episode of his podcast "Impaulsive." CryptoZoo was marketed as an innovative play-to-earn game that would offer handmade digital art in the form of NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The project was designed as a Pokémon-inspired game where players could purchase NFT eggs and hatch them to reveal different animals with varying traits and rarities. According to the project's promises, players could then breed these animals to create hybrid creatures that could be sold for $ZOO tokens, the project's native cryptocurrency.

Logan Paul heavily promoted CryptoZoo as a legitimate opportunity for players to generate substantial income within the game ecosystem and convert their earned tokens into fiat currency. The project launched in September 2021 with an initial sale of 10,000 eggs, each valued at approximately 0.285 ETH (worth around $400 at the time). However, when players finally hatched their eggs after investing significant money, they discovered that the NFTs revealed generic stock photos of random animals rather than the promised custom artwork. More critically, there was no functional mechanism to actually earn or yield $ZOO tokens as had been advertised.

Approximately a year after the launch, Coffeezilla released a comprehensive three-part investigative series on CryptoZoo that alleged the project's team had engaged in market manipulation and fraudulent practices. He presented evidence criticizing Logan Paul's team, which included controversial figures like Eddie Ibanez and Jake Greenbaum (known as "The Crypto King"), claiming they had made millions of dollars by cashing out their token holdings early while ordinary investors were left holding worthless assets.

Logan Paul initially responded aggressively to Coffeezilla's investigation by threatening legal action for defamation, but he never actually filed a lawsuit against the creator. Paul later deleted his response video and issued a public apology to both Coffeezilla and the people who had invested in CryptoZoo based on his endorsement. He promised to establish a $1.3 million reward program to compensate investors who had lost money in the project, using his personal ETH supply, and also committed to burning all his $ZOO tokens to remove them from circulation.

Despite these public promises, Coffeezilla has persistently followed up with Logan Paul regarding the refunds after exposing the scam, but the influencer has yet to fully deliver on his commitment to pay back his fans. This ongoing situation has damaged Paul's reputation and demonstrated the importance of holding influential figures accountable for their endorsements.

A class action lawsuit was subsequently filed against Logan Paul and his team members for their involvement in the CryptoZoo project. The lawsuit claimed that "unbeknownst to the customers, the game did not work or never existed, and Defendants manipulated the digital currency market for Zoo Tokens to their advantage." This legal action represents one of many consequences stemming from Coffeezilla's investigative work.

Dillon Danis

Dillon Danis is a 30-year-old former MMA fighter with an extensive background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who transitioned into social media influence. With over 800,000 followers on Twitter and two million followers on Instagram, Danis has significant reach and influence over his audience. He has been repeatedly called out by crypto investigator ZachXBT on Twitter for promoting obvious scams and participating in pump-and-dump schemes that have cost his followers substantial amounts of money.

In February 2023, Coffeezilla released a particularly creative and revealing video titled "I Scammed Dillon Danis," in which he documented how he paid the influencer $1,000 to promote a completely fake NFT project. In the video, Stephen explained that he used an intermediary to approach Dillon with what he described as "the weakest facade possible" for the fake project, yet the influencer never questioned its legitimacy or conducted any due diligence.

The fake NFT project link that Dillon promoted on his Twitter account actually led to a website that displayed screenshots of all the scam tweets he had ever posted, effectively exposing his pattern of fraudulent promotion. Working in collaboration with ZachXBT, Coffeezilla identified over 20 different projects that Dillon had promoted to his followers, with many of them being confirmed scams and rug pulls that resulted in investor losses.

Most damning was the revelation that Dillon promoted the tweet without even reading the contract he had signed, which explicitly outlined that the NFT project was fake and part of an investigation. Coffeezilla successfully proved that influencers like Dillon Danis don't conduct proper due diligence or vet the crypto projects and NFTs they promote to their audiences. Additionally, the influencer failed to disclose that his promotion was a paid advertisement, violating FTC guidelines and basic transparency principles. This investigation served as a stark warning about the dangers of following influencer recommendations without conducting independent research.

Save The Kids Crypto Scandal

The Save the Kids token was launched in June 2021 and was aggressively promoted by numerous influencers as a charitable cryptocurrency token that would benefit children's causes. Several members of the prominent Faze Clan gaming organization announced they were serving as brand ambassadors for the project, including Kay (Frazier Khattri), Teeqo, and Jarvis Nikan (Nikan Nadims), among others. The project marketed itself as a way for investors to make money while simultaneously supporting children's charities.

Coffeezilla conducted a thorough investigation of the project and uncovered evidence that it was actually a sophisticated pump-and-dump scheme that cynically exploited the charitable angle to attract investors. His analysis revealed that the project used influencers to artificially inflate the token's price before orchestrating a massive coordinated sell-off. He discovered that all the whale wallets holding large amounts of the coin sold off their entire positions immediately after the public launch, causing the token's value to crash and leaving ordinary investors with devastating losses.

The Save the Kids token quickly became recognized as a failed crypto project and cautionary tale about influencer-promoted schemes. Coffeezilla posted subsequent follow-up videos investigating whether the influencers themselves had been scammed or were actively complicit in the fraudulent scheme. The evidence suggested varying levels of involvement among different promoters.

Following the exposure, some influencers deleted their tweets promoting the project and claimed ignorance about the rug pull, attempting to distance themselves from the scandal. However, the damage to their reputations had already been done. As a consequence of his involvement, Faze Kay was permanently expelled from Faze Clan, while the other members who promoted the token were suspended from the organization. Coffeezilla's investigation found that Kay had dumped all of his Save the Kids tokens immediately after the launch and had a documented pattern of similar malicious selling behavior in other projects, suggesting his involvement was deliberate rather than accidental.

SBF

Sam Bankman-Fried, commonly known as SBF, was the founder and CEO of FTX, which was once one of the world's largest crypto derivatives exchange platforms. FTX dramatically collapsed and filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, shocking the entire cryptocurrency industry and resulting in billions of dollars in customer losses. The disgraced founder was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes after investigators discovered he had diverted customer funds from FTX to his hedge fund company, Alameda Research. He also allegedly misappropriated these funds for personal use, political donations, and risky investments.

Coffeezilla played a notable role in the FTX investigation by engaging Sam Bankman-Fried in three separate interviews during the months leading up to his arrest. These interviews occurred during the chaotic period after FTX's collapse but before SBF faced criminal charges. In one of these revealing interviews, SBF allegedly made admissions about co-mingling customer funds from FTX with Alameda Research's assets, which became crucial evidence in understanding the scope of the fraud. Coffeezilla's interviews provided important documentation of SBF's statements and contradictions that would later be used in legal proceedings. The FTX case became one of the largest financial frauds in history and demonstrated the critical need for proper regulation and oversight in the cryptocurrency industry.

SafeMoon

SafeMoon is a cryptocurrency token that launched in 2021 on a mainstream blockchain platform. The project gained significant attention and popularity after being endorsed by various celebrities, including rapper Lil Yachty, Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter, and influencer Logan Paul. These high-profile endorsements helped drive massive investment into the token during the peak of the 2021 crypto bull market.

SafeMoon was designed with no real utility or practical use case, instead relying on a tokenomics model intended to reward long-term holders through transaction fee mechanisms. The token imposed a 10% fee on all transactions, with 5% of the fee being redistributed to existing SafeMoon holders and the other 5% being added to liquidity pools. This reward system was marketed as encouraging long-term investment while disincentivizing those who wanted to sell, creating what proponents called "reflections" for holders.

In April 2022, Coffeezilla launched a comprehensive series of investigative videos examining SafeMoon and presenting his findings to his audience. Through detailed analysis of the project's smart contract code and blockchain transactions, he discovered evidence that the founder was slowly executing a rug pull by extracting value from the project over time. While the project's leaders publicly claimed that a rug pull was technically impossible due to the smart contract's design, Coffeezilla's investigation revealed that the source code used for SafeMoon was actually copied from another token that had previously been rug-pulled, suggesting the vulnerability was intentionally built into the system.

Following Coffeezilla's investigation and growing awareness of the issues, a class action lawsuit was filed against the creators of SafeMoon and all the influencers who had promoted the token to their audiences. The plaintiffs accused the defendants of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme that enriched insiders at the expense of ordinary investors. The legal case remains ongoing and represents another example of how Coffeezilla's investigative work has led to real-world legal consequences for alleged bad actors in the crypto space.

Independent Investigators Play An Important Role In Web3

Coffeezilla and other independent investigators operating in the cryptocurrency space represent a crucial component of the ecosystem's health and long-term viability. The crypto industry remains largely unregulated in most jurisdictions, creating an environment where fraudulent actors can operate with minimal oversight or consequences. Coffeezilla stands out as one of the few individuals dedicating significant time and resources to fighting for increased accountability and creating public awareness of fraudulent schemes that plague the industry.

His critical and methodical approach to these investigations distinguishes him from other crypto content creators who may have conflicts of interest or lack the investigative skills necessary to uncover complex fraud. By maintaining his independence through refusing sponsorships and funding his work through advertising and Patreon support, Coffeezilla can pursue investigations without fear of backlash from sponsors or partners. His work serves an educational function that helps protect newcomers to crypto from falling victim to scams while also pressuring the industry to adopt better practices and self-regulation.

The impact of independent investigators extends beyond individual cases to influence the broader crypto ecosystem. When bad actors know that their schemes may be exposed and publicized to millions of viewers, it creates a deterrent effect that can prevent some frauds before they occur. Additionally, Coffeezilla's investigations have contributed to legal cases and regulatory discussions about how to better protect crypto investors. As the industry continues to evolve and mature, the role of independent investigators like Coffeezilla will remain essential to building trust and legitimacy in web3 technologies.

FAQ

Who is Coffeezilla and what does he do on YouTube?

Coffeezilla, real name Stephen Findeisen, is a YouTuber dedicated to exposing scammers and fraudsters in the crypto space. He investigates fake gurus and con artists through detailed research, helping viewers identify and avoid fraudulent schemes and deceptive projects.

What major crypto scams has Coffeezilla exposed?

Coffeezilla exposed major crypto scams including the Quadriga exchange collapse, OneCoin Ponzi scheme, and various DeFi fraud cases. His investigations have uncovered significant fraudulent activities and scams within the cryptocurrency and web3 sectors.

How does Coffeezilla investigate and verify crypto fraud?

Coffeezilla conducts thorough research through interviews, financial transaction analysis, and cross-referencing regulatory reports. He verifies information with experts and publishes detailed video exposés documenting evidence of crypto fraud and scams.

Is Coffeezilla credible and reliable as a source for crypto scam information?

Yes, Coffeezilla is generally credible for crypto scam investigations, known for thorough research and exposing fraud. However, credibility has been questioned due to a 2024 defamation lawsuit, though he maintains his investigative work remains substantive and evidence-based.

What impact has Coffeezilla had on the cryptocurrency community?

Coffeezilla exposed numerous crypto scams and fraudulent projects, increasing community awareness of fraud risks. His investigative work has promoted greater scrutiny of influencers and projects, encouraging more transparency and accountability in the cryptocurrency space.

How can I identify crypto scams using Coffeezilla's methods and tips?

Identify crypto scams by checking for red flags like lack of transparency, unrealistic promises of high returns, and pressure for quick investment. Verify claims through public records and credible sources. Be suspicious of unverified social media presence and anonymous team members.

What are some of Coffeezilla's most famous investigations and their outcomes?

Coffeezilla exposed the CryptoZoo scandal involving crypto celebrity Ben Paul, investigated CS2 gambling industry fraud, and uncovered Liquid Marketplace deception. His investigations prompted legal action and ongoing accountability efforts in crypto.