In the world of cryptocurrency, the word shilling has become synonymous with intrusive and often dishonest advertising. Imagine a situation: a new token is released, and suddenly everyone around — bloggers, Twitter accounts, YouTubers, and even random users in chats — starts shouting about its "huge potential," about how "it will fly to the Moon." In reality, it often turns out to be nothing more than a planned campaign to inflate interest.
What does "shill" mean?
A shill is a person who actively and persistently promotes a project or token. Usually, they do this not because they genuinely believe in the idea, but because they benefit: tokens, money, or the opportunity to sell their accumulated coins at an inflated price.
Types of shilling:
1. Influencers. Many "crypto gurus" charge for advertising posts but do not always disclose this. This is how hidden advertising is born.
2. Bots and fake accounts. Thousands of messages in Telegram or X that create a sense of hype and genuine interest.
3. Community pump. Project participants massively convince new investors to "not miss the chance," creating FOMO.
Why is this dangerous?
Unrealistic expectations. Newbies invest expecting quick gains and end up being "bagholders."
Market manipulation. Once the crowd is lured in, those who were shilling sell their assets.
Loss of trust. The more the market faces aggressive shilling, the less people trust new projects.
How to recognize shilling?
If someone praises a project too enthusiastically without specific facts, it is likely a shill.
If the arguments are limited to slogans: "don't miss out," "this is the second Bitcoin," "Moon is guaranteed" — be cautious.
If you see dozens of accounts repeating the same thing, it is a sign of artificial hype.
Conclusion: Shilling is part of crypto culture, but it is important to learn to distinguish genuine interest from manipulation. Always check the facts yourself, and do not rely on someone else's loud words.
