"DeepSeek Scam Surge: 75 Fake Tokens in 24 Hours"

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a surge in the creation of fake tokens, with a particular focus on those claiming to be associated with the viral success of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek. According to data from security firm BlockAid, over 75 scam tokens tied to DeepSeek have been created in the past 24 hours, representing a threefold increase from the previous day.

This surge in malicious tokens follows the release of DeepSeek's latest AI app version on Jan. 20, which quickly went viral, climbing to the top of the Apple App Store. While the company's innovative AI technology has garnered widespread attention, its success has also drawn scammers aiming to capitalize on its newfound popularity. Scammers have created a decentralized application (DApp) that mimics DeepSeek's official website, including a "Connect Wallet" button that could potentially drain a user's crypto wallet.

The proliferation of scam tokens tied to DeepSeek reflects a broader trend of scammers exploiting viral moments to launch fraudulent cryptocurrencies. Earlier this month, the launch of Official Trump (TRUMP) and First Lady Melania's meme coin (MELANIA) triggered a similar wave of copycat tokens. The rapid rise of malicious tokens tied to DeepSeek has caused ripples in the financial markets, with fears of widespread scams contributing to a sell-off in certain sectors.

In response to the surge in fake tokens, DeepSeek has issued clear warnings about the rise of scam tokens. In a pinned post on its X account dated Jan. 10, the company stated, "DeepSeek has not issued any cryptocurrency. Currently, there is only one official account on the Twitter platform. We will not contact anyone through other accounts. Please stay vigilant and guard against potential scams." Despite these warnings, scammers have managed to launch and briefly sustain two fake DeepSeek tokens, one of which reached a market capitalization of $48 million before its momentum cooled. Another fraudulent token reached a $13 million market cap, demonstrating the scale and speed with which these scams can attract unsuspecting investors.

As DeepSeek continues to dominate headlines, the company's viral success highlights both the potential and the perils of the intersection between AI and cryptocurrency. While innovations like DeepSeek's AI model showcase the transformative possibilities of technology, the associated surge in scam tokens brings attention to the importance of vigil