Recent leaks of gameplay footage from Grand Theft Auto VI have become intertwined with a cryptocurrency scheme, specifically a pump-and-dump operation involving a meme coin named CYBERLEEK. The coin, which appears to have been created on the Solana blockchain on August 16, shortly before the first gameplay leak, has been prominently advertised with watermarks on the leaked videos.
Following the initial leak, the price of CYBERLEEK reportedly surged by over 5,000% within a single day. This rapid increase allowed early investors to cash out significant profits before the market could stabilize. However, the scheme has also resulted in considerable losses for some buyers, with reports of individuals losing close to $10,000 each. The largest documented profit from the scheme thus far stands at over $22,000, representing a 2,000% return on investment.
While the scale of the CYBERLEEK operation appears smaller compared to other meme coin ventures, such as the MELANIA coin which saw multi-million dollar swings, it highlights a different motivation behind the leaks. The front-facing goal of profiting from virality through a cryptocurrency contrasts sharply with the consumer-friendly intentions often associated with game development. A notable portion of CYBERLEEK tokens remains held by a few accounts that have not yet made any sales, suggesting they may be awaiting further market fluctuations to maximize their profits.
Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for release on November 12, with Rockstar Games scheduled to present its first gameplay showcase on Netflix on August 27.