Do You Still Trust Crypto Influencers — Or Nah?

[peterjohn]

The influencer space has certainly evolved, and distinguishing between genuine insights and paid promotions can be tricky. In 2025, there are still some voices worth following for solid, unbiased advice. Here’s what to look out for:

1. Who to follow:
   
   • Independent Researchers & Analysts: People like Lark Davis and Benjamin Cowen still provide detailed analysis and long-term perspectives. They tend to focus on market fundamentals and broad trends rather than chasing short-term pumps.
   • YouTubers like Coin Bureau (Guy) and DataDash offer deep dives into various crypto topics with thorough research and transparency.
   • Community-driven influencers: Folks like The Moon and Crypto Banter have managed to build large communities and often discuss broader market trends rather than focusing purely on speculative altcoins.
2. Independent vs. YouTubers/Twitter Influencers: It’s a mix. YouTubers and Twitter personalities can provide a quick snapshot of market sentiment and trends, but for actionable, reliable data, I lean toward independent researchers who consistently analyze macro trends, market data, and project fundamentals over time. It’s more about quality than quantity.
3. Red flags to spot a shill:
   
   • Excessive hype without substance: If someone’s constantly pushing a coin or project without ever giving a deep dive into the tokenomics, development team, or long-term viability, that’s a red flag.
   • Promises of massive returns: Claims like "Guaranteed 100x" or "Next big coin" without proper risk disclaimers often point to promotions rather than genuine insight.
   • Lack of transparency: If someone’s pushing a product or token but fails to disclose paid promotions or connections with the project, it’s a huge red flag.
   • Sudden shifts in tone: If an influencer suddenly starts shilling projects they never mentioned before, or if their content becomes more focused on affiliate links and promotions, it’s usually a sign they’re being compensated for it.

Ultimately, it’s important to follow people who consistently provide educational content, offer a critical analysis of the space, and show a genuine interest in educating their audience, rather than purely profiting from it.

 

[Aesthatic girl]

Totally agree—it's gotten harder to separate genuine insights from promo noise. I still follow a few independent researchers who post data-backed threads without hype. Red flags for me: constant low-cap shills, no clear disclaimers, or recycled takes. Always cross-check info and follow those who show consistent, transparent analysis.

 

[SUNSHINE]

It’s wild how the line between genuine insight and marketing has blurred. In 2025, credibility means more than follower count. I lean toward researchers with skin in the game—those who share losses, not just wins. A red flag? When someone promotes five “next 100x” tokens in a single week.

 

[Snowy]

As someone new to crypto, it’s tough figuring out who to trust. I’ve been leaning toward independent researchers who explain things clearly without hyping every project. If someone’s always pushing “guaranteed moonshots” without showing risks, that’s a red flag for me. Still learning, but transparency feels like a solid guide.

 

[SUNSHINE]

Totally agree — way more noise than signal now. I still follow a few solid independent researchers and on-chain sleuths over flashy influencers. If someone’s pushing low-cap coins daily with zero disclosures or crazy FOMO language, it’s usually a shill. Clear breakdowns, on-chain data, and honesty about bags? That’s who I trust in 2025.

Absolutely, the noise is overwhelming. Following independent researchers who provide honest, data-driven insights is definitely the way to go—especially in 2025 when the market’s full of hype and manipulation.

 

[peterjohn]

The influencer landscape has shifted a lot. Back in the day, you’d get real insights, deep dives, and some actual alpha. Now? It’s mostly promo overload — and yeah, half of them don’t even bother with disclaimers anymore.

That said, there are still a few voices worth tuning into. I’ve stuck with a couple of independent researchers who’ve consistently called things early — especially the ones who post data-driven breakdowns instead of hype reels. They might not be as flashy, but they’re way more reliable.

Red flags? Easy:

• Suddenly shilling unknown coins with no history of talking about them
• Disabling comments or engagement when questioned
• Overusing phrases like “next 100x gem” or “don’t miss this rocket”
• Always “early” on private-sale tokens

Curating your feed takes work now, but the real ones are still out there — just gotta dig through more noise to find them.

The influencer scene has definitely become cluttered with promotions, making it harder to find genuine insights. I agree, independent researchers who focus on data-driven analysis are the best sources of reliable info. Red flags like sudden shilling of unknown coins or overuse of hype language are easy to spot and should be avoided.