Cardi B-Endorsed Memecoin Under UAE Investigation as Regulators Clamp Down on Crypto

In a move signalling stricter oversight of the crypto sector, the UAE has recently intensified its regulatory stance. The latest development sees the country launching an investigation into the $WAP token, endorsed by rapper Cardi B, whose popular song shares the same name. According to a notice regarding the Solana-based token, the UAE is probing it for potential securities violations.

The UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) initiated a probe against the crypto token suspecting it could be part of a pump-and-dump scheme waiting to unfold. The SCA was alerted to the token by what its notice describes as a "prominent Dubai-based venture capital firm" and associated Emirati investors.

WAP Token and Suspicions Surrounding It

With an animated cat as its mascot, the WAP token falls under the memecoin category with a circulating supply of one billion tokens, as per CoinGecko. While the exact release date of this token remains unclear, its official X page was created in September this year.

In recent weeks, Cardi B, who boasts over 35 million followers on X, began promoting the $WAP token across her social media platforms. On October 8, she shared a promotional post along with a wallet address.

As per CoinTelegraph, a blockchain investigator going by the name of Wazz flagged that the wallet address posted by the WAP page was linked to multiple crypto scams.

Soon after, blockchain data platform BubbleMaps claimed that $500,000 (roughly Rs. 4.20 crore) worth of WAP tokens were suspiciously dumped hours after launch. BubbleMaps also said that the WAP token is heavily bundled – that could have buyers purchase multiple units of the asset in one transaction.

These factors have raised red flags among investors and blockchain watchdogs, suggesting the memecoin could be problematic.

UAE's Stance on the WAP Token

In its notice, the SCA said that the promoters of this token including Cardi B have hired a network of paid individuals who received the tokens for free through undisclosed financial arrangements.

As per the SCA, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the insiders associated with the $WAP token, alongside various paid Key Opinion Leaders, are orchestrating a clear pump and dump scheme. This scheme involves artificially inflating the price of SWAP through strategic promotions, followed by the systematic sale of their holdings, thereby inflicting significant financial losses on unsuspecting retail investors.”

The UAE authorities have joined forces with BubbleMaps to infer that this token is violating securities laws of the US as well as the UAE.

As of now, Cardi B has not reacted to the development.

Earlier this week, Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a cease-and-desist order against seven crypto entities for operating their businesses without acquiring the required approvals.