In the wild world of meme tokens, where fortunes can flip faster than a viral cat video, staying vigilant against scams and insider plays is crucial. That's where folks like ZachXBT come in – the renowned crypto sleuth who's made a name for himself by uncovering shady dealings in the blockchain space. Recently, a thread on X (formerly Twitter) sparked by a mention of the $YZY token has shed light on the behind-the-scenes realities of this investigative work. Let's dive into what ZachXBT had to say and why it matters for meme token enthusiasts.

It all started when a user tagged ZachXBT in a post about the $YZY token, a Solana-based meme coin that's been buzzing in the community. The user was hyped for a potential "special" investigation from Zach, but he quickly shut that down, stating there's "zero incentive" for him to dig into potential insiders who profited from it. This response opened the floodgates to a deeper conversation about the economics of crypto investigations.

ZachXBT, who's been at this since 2021, explained that over 95% of his public research is done pro bono – meaning for free, without payment. For those new to the term, pro bono is like volunteer work in the legal or investigative field, where experts offer their services without charge. But as Zach pointed out, this goodwill often gets taken for granted. He shared some eye-opening estimates on what his work could be worth if compensated properly.

According to Zach, standard retainers for such cases range from $5K to $10K, covering up to 10 billable hours. With over 150 public investigations under his belt (and likely more than 250 total), that's a conservative $750K to $1.5M in potential revenue if every case was paid. But wait, it gets bigger – factor in successful recoveries of over $300M in funds or leading to arrests, where contingency fees (a percentage of recovered assets, usually 10% or more) could apply. He's even mused that he's left $10M to $15M on the table by not pursuing formal contracts or whistleblower rewards like Qui Tam.

Why bring this up in the context of meme tokens? Well, the $YZY mention highlights a common issue in the meme coin ecosystem, especially on platforms like Solana where launches are quick and often opaque. Insider trading – where project insiders buy early and dump on retail investors – is rampant, eroding trust and leading to rug pulls (when developers abandon a project after collecting funds). Zach's reluctance to investigate without incentive underscores a broader problem: sustainable security in crypto relies on properly valuing the watchdogs.

Replies in the thread echoed this sentiment. One user pointed out that investigators deserve pay just like devs or auditors, while another criticized the entitlement in web3 communities expecting free labor. Zach himself noted he's become more protective of his time, preferring to focus on interesting or paid work rather than acting as unpaid customer support for victims.

For blockchain practitioners and meme token traders, this thread is a wake-up call. If we want robust investigations into tokens like $YZY, supporting investigators through fair models – be it donations, retainers, or partnerships – is key. Platforms like Paradigm, where Zach serves as an advisor, show how institutional backing can help, but the community needs to step up too.

At Meme Insider, we're all about equipping you with the knowledge to navigate the meme token landscape safely. Check out our knowledge base on common meme token scams for more tips, and follow ZachXBT on X for his latest insights. Remember, in crypto, due diligence isn't just smart – it's essential. Stay informed, stay safe!