What happened?
Scammers bought ads that appeared inside Monad’s official Telegram announcement channel and linked to fake airdrop claim portals just hours before the MON token launch. Monad co-founder Keone Hon warned users, the team is working to remove the ads, and they confirmed the only legitimate claim link is claim.monad.xyz. The airdrop portal opens at 1:00 pm UTC and runs for three weeks, so the timing made the scam especially risky for users looking to claim tokens.
Who does this affect?
This directly affects Monad community members and anyone planning to claim MON tokens, who could be tricked into phishing sites or malware. It also threatens other crypto users and projects because Telegram’s ad system can push malicious content into verified channels, meaning similar token launches could be targeted. Traders and speculators on platforms like Hyperliquid, where MON futures are already trading, may face price swings or losses if the airdrop is disrupted or confidence drops.
Why does this matter?
Marketwise, the incident undermines trust and could make people hesitant to participate in the airdrop or engage with the Monad ecosystem, reducing initial demand for MON. With MON futures implying about a $7 billion FDV, any loss of confidence or actual theft could increase volatility, trigger sell pressure, and drain liquidity around the token. It also spotlights platform-level risks that could lead to tighter regulation, higher security costs, and more cautious capital flows across crypto markets.