Andrew Tate and his associate, identified as “Issa” (@issathecooker), are once again under fire for their alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency scheme. This time, they have been linked to a scam involving a so-called “Kanye memecoin,” which was coincidentally the same $Ye coin based on Solana, exposed after Kanye West himself shared a direct message offering him $2 million to promote the token for just eight hours before claiming he had been hacked.
The $2M Offer to Kanye West
$750K upfront payment
$1.25M paid 16 hours after the post
Post must remain live for 8 hours
Promotion of a fake cryptocurrency
After 8 hours, the influencer can claim they were hacked
The final section of the contract made it clear that the scheme’s orchestrators intended to defraud the public of “tens of millions of dollars.”
Andrew Tate and Issa’s Alleged Involvement
Cryptocurrency investigator Gadget and other online sleuths have linked Andrew Tate and Issa to this operation. According to Gadget, Issa has a long history of orchestrating similar scams. He recently warned followers that Issa was already moving on to his next fraudulent venture, hyping up another token, $TST.
In a series of posts, Gadget urged the crypto community to spread awareness about Issa’s history, stating,
“He is one of the most prolific scammers in the space. This MUST become common knowledge.”
Patterns of Crypto Fraud
Tate, who has repeatedly denied involvement in rug pulls, has been associated with various cryptocurrency projects that ended in financial ruin for investors. Issa’s alleged role as a behind-the-scenes operator has also drawn increased scrutiny. One of Gadget’s posts features a video purportedly showing a younger Issa, further solidifying claims of his long-term involvement in crypto fraud.
In response to accusations, Issa posted a sarcastic remark:
“If I was as rich as I lie to you all that I am, why would I rug for $3M?!”
—a statement that many took as an admission rather than a denial.
The Bigger Picture
The exposure of the Kanye West memecoin scheme highlights a broader issue in the crypto world: the use of celebrities and influencers to manipulate markets. This tactic is not new—figures like Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather have faced lawsuits for their involvement in fraudulent crypto promotions.
By paying influencers large sums to promote dubious projects and then allowing them to backtrack with fake hacking claims, scammers create an illusion of legitimacy while walking away with millions. Unfortunately, retail investors often bear the financial losses, while the perpetrators move on to their next con.
What Happens Next?
While Kanye West’s decision to expose the $2M offer is a rare instance of transparency in the entertainment industry, it remains unclear whether authorities will take action against those involved. However, with more whistleblowers like Gadget bringing these scams to light, public awareness continues to grow.
The crypto space is rife with bad actors, and until regulations tighten or law enforcement intervenes, these schemes will likely persist. For now, the best defense is education—knowing the red flags and avoiding too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities.
