Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has confirmed that his X account was hacked after it briefly published a thread discussing blockchain-based real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, sparking confusion across the crypto community.
The posts, which have since been deleted, appeared to present detailed views on tokenized assets and blockchain adoption. Because they came from Chesky’s verified account, many users initially believed the comments reflected a genuine change in the Airbnb chief’s stance on crypto.
To the person who hacked my account earlier this week: thanks for all the new crypto followers.
To my new crypto followers: I’m going to be a very disappointing follow. https://t.co/DtO2gtgHjQ
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) July 16, 2026
In a post on July 17, Chesky confirmed the breach with a lighthearted remark, writing, “To the person who hacked my account earlier this week: thanks for all the new crypto followers.” He added, “To my new crypto followers: I’m going to be a very disappointing follow,” making it clear that the earlier posts were unauthorized.
Hacked account starts crypto speculation
The fake thread stood out because it focused on the growing role of tokenized real-world assets rather than promoting Airbnb or announcing a crypto product.
Unlike many recent account takeovers, the posts did not advertise a meme coin, a fake token sale, a phishing link, or a giveaway. Instead, they discussed blockchain and financial markets in a way that made the messages appear credible, leading some users and media outlets to treat them as authentic.
Following the incident, Airbnb reportedly worked with X to secure Chesky’s account and remove the unauthorized posts.
READ ALSO: Global RWA Regulation Splits Into Two Tracks as Tokenized Markets Expand
Why did this attack draw attention?
The incident shows a different approach used by attackers targeting high-profile social media accounts.
Instead of pushing an obvious scam, the hackers published detailed crypto-related commentary that could easily be mistaken for Chesky’s own views. The tactic relied on the trust attached to a verified account rather than directing users to a fraudulent website or wallet.
Although no token launch or financial scam has been linked to the posts, the incident shows how compromised accounts can quickly influence discussions in the crypto market.
Crypto-related account hacks continue
The attack adds to a growing list of high-profile X account compromises tied to cryptocurrency.
Earlier this week, hackers reportedly took over SpaceX’s X account in a scheme involving the SCATMAN token. In May, attackers also hijacked Keith Gill’s verified Roaring Kitty account to promote a Solana-based token, an incident that reportedly caused traders to lose about $2.8 million.
Just last month, Supra confirmed that its official X account was accessed without authorization, leading to the spread of a fake announcement promoting a “$SUPRA token launch on Ethereum” and a phishing-style airdrop campaign.
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