Brian

<p>Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has confirmed that hackers compromised his X account earlier this week after the profile published a lengthy thread about blockchain-based real-world asset tokenization.&nbsp;</p>
<div id="cn-block-summary-block_a2f971da6098645f7c355210dbb42523" class="cn-block-summary">
 <div class="cn-block-summary__nav tabs"><span>Summary</span>
 </div>
 <div class="cn-block-summary__content">
  <ul>
   <li>Brian Chesky confirmed his X account was hacked after it posted a crypto tokenization thread.</li>
   <li>Airbnb treated the incident as a high-profile compromise and worked with X to secure access.</li>
   <li>The deleted posts praised asset tokenization, prompting questions because they did not promote scams directly.</li>
  </ul>
 </div>
</div>
<p>The posts later disappeared, and Chesky has now responded with a joke about the unexpected audience the incident brought to his account.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://x.com/bchesky/status/2077890121232515437" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">July 17 post on X</a>, Chesky wrote, “To the person who hacked my account earlier this week: thanks for all the new crypto followers.” He then added, “To my new crypto followers: I’m going to be a very disappointing follow.” His statement confirmed that the earlier tokenization posts did not represent commentary he intended to publish.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x">
 <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
   <p>To the person who hacked my account earlier this week: thanks for all the new crypto followers.<br><br>To my new crypto followers: I’m going to be a very disappointing follow. <a href="https://t.co/DtO2gtgHjQ" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://t.co/DtO2gtgHjQ</a></p>— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) <a href="https://x.com/bchesky/status/2077890121232515437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">July 16, 2026</a>
  </blockquote>
 </div>
</figure>
<p>You might also like: <a href="https://crypto.news/how-1-2b-bitcoin-options-expiry-could-shape-the-next-btc-move/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> How $1.2B Bitcoin options expiry could shape the next BTC move </a></p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="strong-chesky-confirms-hack-after-unusual-tokenization-thread-strong"><strong>Chesky confirms hack after unusual tokenization thread</strong></h2>
<p>The deleted thread attracted attention because it presented detailed arguments about tokenized real-world assets rather than promoting Airbnb’s core business. It discussed blockchain-based ownership and financial markets in a way that initially led some observers and publications to treat the posts as genuine comments from the Airbnb chief.</p>
<p>According to Fortune’s <a href="https://fortune.com/2026/07/16/airbnb-ceo-x-hack-ai-slop-security/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">report</a> on the incident, Airbnb treated the episode as a high-profile account compromise and moved to secure the profile with X. However, the nature of the posts caused confusion because the thread focused on tokenization rather than pushing a meme coin, fake presale or cryptocurrency giveaway.</p>
<p>The episode differs from many recent social media hacks linked directly to token schemes. As crypto.news reported this week, attackers also <a href="https://crypto.news/scatman-spacex-account-hack-brand-token-crime/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">compromised</a> SpaceX’s X presence in an incident linked to the SCATMAN token, renewing concerns about criminals using trusted brands to attract crypto traders.</p>
<p>Earlier, as crypto.news <a href="https://crypto.news/roaring-kitty-x-account-hacked-for-rkc-coin-dump/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">reported</a> in May, hackers used Keith Gill’s verified Roaring Kitty account to promote and dump a Solana-based token. The incident reportedly left traders with $2.8 million in losses after users trusted posts coming from the well-known market personality’s account.</p>
<p>By contrast, available reports have not identified a token sale, wallet-draining link or fraudulent giveaway connected to Chesky’s deleted posts. Instead, the compromised account published commentary that users could have mistaken for a genuine shift in the Airbnb CEO’s public position on crypto. That makes the episode different from attacks built around immediate token promotion.</p>
<p>High-profile X profiles remain attractive targets because their established audiences can give unfamiliar crypto claims instant credibility. As previously <a href="https://crypto.news/animoca-co-founders-x-account-hacked-solana-meme-coin/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">reported</a> by crypto.news, attackers have compromised accounts belonging to executives, companies, entertainers and market personalities to promote fraudulent tokens, fake airdrops and phishing links.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="https://crypto.news/megaeth-shuts-mega-mafia-accelerator-as-successful-apps-leave/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> MegaETH shuts Mega Mafia accelerator as successful apps leave </a></p>

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky confirms X hack after crypto tokenization posts

Table of Contents

crypto.news

Other articles published on Jul 17, 2026

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!