OpenSea ‘unaware’ of any involvement of former exec in $60M rug pull

Nonfungible token (NFT) platform OpenSea says it’s unaware of any proof pointing to a former worker being concerned within the notorious AnubisDAO rug pull in 2021 following new accusations on social media.

In an Oct. 6 thread on X, the nameless account NFT Ethics tagged OpenSea asking them to answer its accusations that their former head of ventures Kevin Pawlak is linked to the pseudonymous id “0xSisyphus” and was concerned in “varied doubtful enterprise dealings.”

1/ Pricey @OpenSea, what do you consider the truth that your Head of Ventures, Kevin Pawlak, has been concerned in varied very doubtful enterprise dealings (e.g. Anubis) and pump & dump schemes beneath his pseudonymous id @0xSisyphus (& 0xMagellan)? pic.twitter.com/GzIVLJirLE

— NFT Ethics (@NFTethics) October 6, 2023

Each NFT Ethics and blockchain analytics account Lookonchain alleged that 0xSisyphus, and thus Pawlak, performed a key position in hyping the AnubisDAO venture to buyers, shortly earlier than the venture transferred the freshly-raised funds to a collection of exterior wallets.

The thread by NFT Ethics tried to elucidate that Pawlak’s alleged position within the AnubisDAO rug pull was premeditated with different builders and laundered the proceeds via the memecoin Pepe (PEPE).

Nonetheless, an OpenSea spokesperson instructed Cointelegraph that they have been unaware of Pawlak’s involvement in any such actions, but in addition famous that Palwak had a “restricted scope” whereas working on the firm.

“Kevin is a former worker who left the corporate in June of 2023. He had a restricted scope whereas at OpenSea — the place he labored in a non-management place. We’ve no consciousness of his involvement with the tasks in query.”

“Moreover, we’ve no connection to, or details about, the tasks in query, as they passed off earlier than his time at OpenSea,” mentioned the corporate consultant.

In October 2021, AnubisDAO raised 13,556 ETH — price $60 million on the time — from crypto buyers. Nonetheless, some 20 hours later, the funds have been despatched to a number of completely different pockets addresses, ensuing right away loss for the buyers.

Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT additionally appeared to throw chilly water on the accusations, saying the thread was “probably the most mid-curve” issues he’d learn.

He added that a lot of the thread gave the impression to be basing many assumptions about 0xSisyphus’ position within the alleged rug pull utilizing “unrelated occasions with out information.”

That thread is among the most midcurve issues I’ve learn. They make many assumptions off unrelated occasions with out information.

FixedFloat does tons in quantity and similar with the opposite exchanges talked about. Right here is the supply handle of the April 2023 FixedFloat insider PEPE buys I… https://t.co/0kG2M7DNVi

— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) September 29, 2023

0xSisyphus can be understood to have as soon as supplied a 1,000 ETH bounty to anybody who may determine the pockets handle that drained the pool, and engaged legislation enforcement in each the USA and Hong Kong, which may additional elevate doubts in regards to the new accusations.

Associated: AnubisDAO’s rug-pulled 13.5K ETH washes away on Twister Money

“Is Sisyphus at fault for gross negligence for mendacity in regards to the Anubis crew multisig? Completely 100%. In all probability a civil case attainable for victims,” wrote Zach.

Zach famous that negligence on this case could be very completely different to stealing the cash from one’s personal venture. “[As far as I know] Sisyphus was the one crew member talking with the [Department of Homeland Security].”

“You actually assume they didn’t have a look at him first and monitor his exercise?” requested Zach.

Zach defined that the 2 actors almost certainly chargeable for the lack of funds in the course of the AnubisDAO scandal have been two pseudonymous customers identified solely as “Beerus” and “Ersan.”

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