Bitget exchange has unveiled its Anti-Scam Report for 2026, highlighting the alarming evolution of online scams as investors increasingly diversify their portfolios across various financial products. This comprehensive study was prepared in conjunction with SlowMist, a notable blockchain security firm, and marks the third consecutive year of Bitget’s Annual Anti-Scam Month initiative.
The report indicates a significant shift in investor behavior over the past year. As of May 2026, data shows that less than 1% of Bitget’s users were engaging with more than one type of asset class. This figure stands in stark contrast to mid-2025, when over 10% of users were trading across multiple asset categories, including cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, stocks, Contracts for Differences (CFDs), digital wallets, and AI-powered platforms.
Scammers have quickly adapted to this trend, as highlighted by Bitget researchers. Current fraud operations typically blend AI-generated content, social engineering techniques, and various communication channels. Scammers often employ a staged approach, leading victims through multiple interactions to gain their trust before executing the theft.
Victims of crypto scams are frequently lured through social media platforms or messaging applications. Once engaged, they are often redirected to counterfeit investment firms, phishing websites, or fraudulent wallet transactions. Each step in this deceptive process is designed to build trust before ultimately leading to financial loss.
To combat these rising threats, Bitget has implemented comprehensive safeguard measures as part of its Anti-Scam Month initiative. Between July 2025 and June 2026, the exchange successfully blocked over 150 million malicious requests and identified more than 13,000 high-risk IP addresses. Moreover, the platform responded to 18,135 cases of user protection and aided in the recovery of $32.3 million that was associated with fraud and security breaches.
“Security challenges evolve alongside markets. As more users participate across crypto, stocks, tokenized assets, and AI-powered products, fraud campaigns are becoming sophisticated in how they build trust and influence decision-making. Understanding those risks is an important step toward protecting users and strengthening confidence across the broader ecosystem,” stated Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.
The report also sheds light on emerging scam methods, which include AI-generated investment personas, deep fake videos, voice cloning scams, fake investment communities, wallet draining tactics, malicious smart contract assaults, and phishing schemes.
Additionally, it reviews high-profile incidents, such as the deepfake impersonation of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and an AI-based fake investment scheme targeting Swedish investors. The analysis further exposed the “Truman Show” fake community and the “Rublevka Team” wallet draining operation that surfaced in early 2026.
The findings underscore the critical need for increased vigilance and education among investors as the digital finance landscape continues to grow and evolve.
