The notorious CyberLeek group, responsible for the GTA 6 gameplay leaks, pulled off a cynical scheme: hackers crashed their own CYBERLEEK token, earning about $286,000 in the process. This is a classic example of how hype around high-profile events is used to manipulate the market.
The Mechanics of the Dump: From a $25 Million Market Cap to Total Collapse
Since mid-August, CyberLeek published gameplay videos of GTA 6 online, embedding links to donation wallets and the contract address of a token launched via PumpFun. Thanks to viral interest in the game, the coin's market cap peaked at $25 million. However, as an investigation showed, this was merely a facade.
The group's key move was burning its own reserve of 270 million CYBERLEEK (about $1.79 million at the time). This created an illusion of scarcity and strengthened community trust. All subsequent videos led to a website where holders were offered to vote on new leaks using the token, which stimulated demand and activity.
But on August 27, just hours before the official gameplay showcase on Netflix, the scheme collapsed. A wallet linked to the hackers withdrew $154,683 in wSOL and 15.4 million CYBERLEEK as creator fees. The tokens were sold for approximately $125,000, triggering a 40% price crash. Ultimately, the coin lost 90% of its value within a few days, dropping from $0.03 to $0.003.
Hidden Trails and Panic
According to on-chain analysts, part of the funds was transferred to the KuCoin and CCE.Cash exchanges, while the rest went to private wallets. However, it is possible that not all of the group's addresses have been revealed. They could have quietly dumped small amounts from unknown wallets to avoid drawing extra attention.
Interestingly, the hackers' actions look more panicked than planned. The coin's price was already falling before the dump, and public interest was waning. It seems CyberLeek expected a longer "pump," but seeing the situation deteriorate, they decided to lock in profits.
My analysis: This story is yet another reminder that meme tokens, especially those tied to hyped events, are a high-risk zone. The CyberLeek scheme is not just a rug pull but a well-thought-out manipulation with elements of psychological impact. Investors should be extremely cautious with assets promoted through anonymous leaks and "voting" — behind this almost always lies the creators' desire to profit at the expense of the retail audience.