Binance fires employee for insider trading; 'yellow fruit' meme token surges post-exposure

Binance Uncovers Insider Trading, Meme Token Soars Higher Post-Exposure

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency community, Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, has revealed the dismissal of an employee for engaging in insider trading. The incident involved a meme token dubbed 'year of the yellow fruit,' which, paradoxically, experienced a significant price surge immediately after Binance's announcement. This unexpected market reaction highlights the often-unpredictable nature of the crypto landscape and the lengths to which individuals might go to exploit information.

The Anatomy of the Betrayal

Binance's internal audit department received a credible tip on December 7, 2025, triggering an immediate investigation. The probe unearthed evidence that a disgruntled employee, mere seconds before the official launch of a new feature on Binance Futures, created their own token using the same branding as an upcoming official announcement. The employee then leveraged Binance's official X (formerly Twitter) account to promote their illicit token, likely aiming to capitalize on user confusion and misinformation. This calculated move constituted a blatant abuse of their privileged position and a severe violation of Binance's stringent policies and code of ethics.

A Token's Unlikely Ascent

While Binance has remained tight-lipped about the specific token's name, all signs point to 'year of the yellow fruit.' According to data from DexScreener.com, this meme token was minted on the BNB Chain around 05:30 UTC. Shortly after its creation and following the promotional post on X, its value against Wrapped BNB skyrocketed, reaching approximately $0.0038 within an hour of its listing. The true shockwave, however, came after Binance's confirmation of the insider trading scandal. Instead of faltering, the token reached new heights, eclipsing $0.0061. Currently, its fully diluted market capitalization hovers around $1.9 million, with a trading volume of $13 million ($6.4 million buys and $6.6 million sells). Approximately 3,658 users currently hold the token, according to BSC Scan data.

“Yesterday, the 'year of the yellow fruit' meme caused a sensation in the crypto community, and on-chain data effectively confirms that this was privately orchestrated by internal employees!”

commented Marcos Crypto, echoing the sentiments of many observers.

Decoding the 'Yellow Fruit' Connection

The enigmatic name of the token likely stems from a Binance social media post on December 4th, which quoted Raoul Pal during Binance Blockchain Week. Screenshots purportedly from the insider reveal that official Binance channels used phrases like "plant wisely" and "reap bountifully," with clear allusions to a "yellow fruit." This speculative connection, while unsubstantiated by Binance, illustrates the crypto community's penchant for deciphering hidden meanings, even in the pronouncements of prominent figures like former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, who has recently faced accusations related to funding Hamas.

Binance's Stance and Future Actions

In response to this egregious breach of trust, Binance is taking decisive action. The exchange has pledged to distribute $100,000 among five whistleblowers who provided verified tips through the official channels. Binance expressed gratitude to users who publicly shared information on X, urging others to submit sensitive data directly to the internal audit department to ensure confidentiality and eligibility for rewards. This is not the first time Binance has initiated compensation programs; approximately six weeks prior, the exchange announced payouts to users under its 'Together' initiative following record liquidations amidst the market's October downturn. Binance has also confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement in the employee's jurisdiction and is preparing to pursue legal action, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards internal malfeasance.