A press launch printed on Christmas Eve claimed that Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, had launched a brand new platform providing tokenized gold and silver buying and selling.
Nonetheless, it’s “faux,” a Circle spokesperson advised CoinDesk.
The platform, launched beneath the identify CircleMetals, was promoted by way of a press launch distributed on Dec. 24, a date when many U.S. companies are closed or working at restricted capability, and response instances are slower.
The discharge described a brand new service enabling 24/7 swaps between USDC and purported gold (GLDC) and silver (SILC) tokens, supposedly backed by COMEX-linked liquidity. Oddly, it prompted customers to swap on the platform and obtain “1.25% in $CIRM rewards.” CoinDesk could not confirm the stated CIRM token, which does not look like listed on main knowledge aggregators.
The web site asks customers to attach their wallets to allow their capability to swap for the supposed treasured metals tokens. It’s usually thought-about a foul concept to attach wallets on to unverified web sites, as malicious actors can then drain consumer wallets.
The discharge even used Circle branding and claimed to cite executives, together with CEO Jeremy Allaire.
“Confirmed this isn’t actual,” a spokesperson advised CoinDesk when requested.
The press launch saying the product, distributed through a crypto-focused PR wire, consists of hyperlinks to what seems to be a swap platform that permits customers to attach their addresses and presents rewards for swaps of the supposed tokenized gold and silver tokens.
The PR agency that initially listed the press launch, ChainWire, declined to remark.
Whereas the web site stays stay, there isn’t a proof to counsel that GLDC or SILC tokens exist or that any authentic monetary establishment is concerned.
