A recent incident on Binance’s blockchain has captivated the crypto community, illustrating how fleeting moments and social media influence can dramatically impact crypto markets. Following a hacking event on BNB Chain’s official X account, a joke token called “4” rapidly surged, turning an online meme into a multimillion-dollar trade within hours. This event underscores the importance of vigilance in crypto trading, especially amid rising hype and thin liquidity pools that can amplify market swings.
Key Takeaways
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A hacked Binance account was used to promote a meme token “4,” which skyrocketed after CZ’s mention.
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The token’s rise turned into a crypto market meme, with early investors making substantial gains.
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The surge was driven by low liquidity and rapid retail trading, not by fundamental project value.
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The incident highlights the risks associated with shallow pools and the importance of verified contract controls.
How a meme turned into a market movement
1. BNB Chain account hijacked (Oct. 1, 2025)
Binance’s official X account was compromised and used to post phishing links aimed at millions of followers. Once control was regained, the community learned the attacker had only made off with a modest sum of around $4,000 — fueling the meme that this was a minor heist.
2. The birth of a joke token
Within hours, a new token called “4” emerged on BNB Chain, playing on the “$4k” meme. Investors quickly started pouring into a barely funded liquidity pool, where trading activity skyrocketed due to curiosity and social media buzz.
3. CZ’s influence amplifies the spike
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Binance’s CEO, referenced the incident on his social platforms, noting that the hacker only profited minimally and highlighting how the community was already trading “4” higher. His mention served as a catalyst, turning the joke token into a legit market signal that traders and bots couldn’t ignore.
4. The rush of order flow
Market scanners and copy trading algorithms began rapidly placing buy orders in the shallow liquidity pool. With minimal depth, each purchase pushed prices up further, creating a near-vertical ascent on trading charts — a classic case of low liquidity exacerbating volatility.
5. The early investor’s fortune
An address labeled “0x872” bought approximately $3,000 worth of BNB before the frenzy, and as liquidity became thinner, its holdings ballooned to around $2 million. This wallet’s strategic early entry exemplifies how shallow pools can turn small investments into life-changing sums, especially amidst viral hype.
Inside the winning wallet
The “0x872” wallet’s story is straightforward — a modest initial buy turned into a paper fortune as attention drove prices higher. Light profit-taking was observed on-chain, with the wallet holding over 98% of its position in the meme token, which lingered around $1.88 million in unrealized gains for days.
But such unrealized profits remain theoretical until actual sales occur. The risk of a large sell order was clear, emphasizing the danger of trading in thin liquidity pools with little oversight. The event underscores the importance of verifying contracts and understanding pool sizes before engaging in rapid, hype-driven moves.
This incident is a stark reminder: social media posts can generate enormous flows in crypto markets, but true value is rooted in fundamentals. Traders must stay cautious, especially when hype outpaces liquidity and security procedures are overlooked.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.