A wave of unauthorized cryptocurrency tokens exploiting the name of Chinese AI sensation DeepSeek has emerged on multiple blockchain networks, with one fraudulent token briefly reaching a market capitalization of $48 million despite explicit warnings from the company.

This is happening as DeepSeek has triggered significant panic on Wall Street, dragging cryptocurrencies down as well. Bitcoin (BTC) briefly dropped below $100,000, while XRP tested monthly lows. Let's take a closer look at why crypto is going down.

Fake DeepSeek Token Hits $48 Million Market Cap as AI Hype Fuels Surge

The primary impostor token, launched on the Solana blockchain earlier this month, generated approximately $150 million in trading volume and attracted over 22,000 wallet holders, according to data from Solana token tracker Birdeye. DeepSeek has explicitly denied any connection to cryptocurrency projects and warned users about potential scams.

The scam's timing coincided with DeepSeek's meteoric rise to prominence in the artificial intelligence sector, where its cost-effective AI model has challenged industry giants. The fraudulent token's creators attempted to legitimize their offering by creating false associations with DeepSeek's official social media presence and website.

A second unauthorized DeepSeek token also gained significant traction, reaching a $13 million market cap with $28.5 million in trading volume before declining to $8.6 million. These incidents are part of a broader trend of scammers exploiting popular technology trends in cryptocurrency markets.

"DeepSeek will accelerate AI development both in the US and overseas, denying hegemony over AI," commented Paul Howard, Director at Wincent. "There is little impact for trading, anything an LLM could offer has already been available for a while, and a lower cost base will do little to influence the way institutional players interact with the crypto market, which is at the amplified risk end of the stock market."

Why Is Crypto Going Down?

Bitcoin's price recently dipped below $100,000, reaching an 11-day low, amid a broader selloff in technology stocks. This downturn was triggered by DeepSeek's announcement of more affordable AI models, which intensified competition in the tech sector and led to significant declines in tech equities.

At the beginning of this week, Bitcoin dropped to just under $98,000, testing the 50-day exponential moving average. All major altcoins followed suit: Ethereum (ETH) tested the psychological support level of $3,000, while XRP formed a long lower wick, dipping to $3.05.

The Nasdaq 100, heavily weighted with technology companies, experienced notable losses, reflecting investor concerns over DeepSeek's potential impact on established tech firms.

The cryptocurrency market, particularly Bitcoin, has shown a strong correlation with technology stocks, especially during periods of market stress. As tech stocks declined, Bitcoin's value also dropped, highlighting its sensitivity to shifts in investor sentiment within the tech industry.

However, by Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the market appears to be stabilizing. Bitcoin is currently rebounding by 1.3%, testing the $102,630 level. Moreover, analysts are still being highly positive, some of them even predicting, that Bitcoin price this year may reach $200K mark.

From Fake TRUMP to Fake DEEPSEEK Tokens

The phenomenon has been amplified by recent legitimate crypto initiatives, including former President Donald Trump's official meme coin launch, which may have inadvertently legitimized similar schemes. Blockaid reported that "Trump"-branded token scams doubled from 3,300 to 6,800 daily following the official launch.

Major decentralized finance platforms have implemented protective measures, with companies like Uniswap and DexScreener partnering with security firms to filter out fraudulent tokens. However, the decentralized nature of blockchain technology makes it challenging to completely prevent such scams.

As of press time, the primary fake DeepSeek token's volume had decreased to $2 million, though thousands of wallets still hold the unauthorized asset. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks in cryptocurrency markets, particularly during periods of intense speculation around emerging technologies.