Thu Jan 15 06:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Aoki and DraftKings Co-founder Face Class Action Lawsuit Over NFT Promotion

The Story:
DJ Steve Aoki and DraftKings co-founder Matthew Kalish are facing a class action lawsuit alleging they promoted NFTs from the now-defunct MetaZoo without disclosing they were paid to do so. Plaintiffs, led by Evan Berger, claim to have suffered losses in the tens of millions of dollars due to the decline in value of these NFTs, which they purchased based on Aoki and Kalish’s endorsements.

MetaZoo Games LLC, originally a tabletop collectible card game company, expanded into NFTs, among other items. At its peak, a set of MetaZoo Coin NFTs was valued at $80,000. The lawsuit claims that Aoki and Kalish leveraged their social media influence to promote these NFTs, leading investors like Berger to believe their value would increase.

Key Points:

  • Steve Aoki and Matthew Kalish, co-founder of DraftKings, are named in a class action lawsuit.
  • The suit alleges they promoted MetaZoo NFTs without disclosing they were being paid.
  • Plaintiffs, led by Evan Berger, claim to have lost tens of millions of dollars.
  • Berger says he bought at least 26 NFTs, believing they would increase in value, based on Aoki and Kalish’s promotions.
  • Aoki was an equity partner in MetaZoo in 2021 and collaborated on a collectible card series in 2022.
  • Aoki stated in 2022 he made more from NFTs than from 10 years of music advances.

Critical Analysis:

The unfolding of these events highlights a growing trend of holding influencers accountable for their endorsements, particularly in the volatile cryptocurrency and NFT markets. The earlier news headlines emphasize the allegations of “undisclosed endorsements” and “duping NFT buyers,” indicating a narrative of potential deception and exploitation within the NFT space. The timing of these headlines, all published on January 15, 2026, suggests a coordinated media push or a significant development in the legal proceedings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit underscores the potential legal risks for celebrities and influencers promoting financial products, especially in unregulated or emerging markets.
  • Disclosure of paid endorsements is crucial to maintain transparency and protect consumers from potentially misleading information.
  • The case reflects a broader skepticism and reevaluation of the value proposition of NFTs after the initial hype.
  • Class action lawsuits are becoming a common mechanism for investors to seek redress for losses in the cryptocurrency and NFT space.

Impact Analysis:

This lawsuit could set a precedent for future cases involving celebrity endorsements of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could lead to stricter regulations and greater scrutiny of influencer marketing practices. It could also deter celebrities from endorsing such products without thorough due diligence and transparent disclosures, potentially impacting the future of celebrity involvement in the digital asset market. This case adds to the existing narrative of holding individuals responsible for the content they promote.

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