Defamation Suit Targets ZachXBT

A Texas court has filed a defamation suit against ZachXBT, a self-described “on-chain sleuth” who goes by the alias ZachXBT.

The plaintiff is Jeffrey Huang, also known as “Machi Big Brother.” The suit alleges that ZachXBT made defamatory remarks in a 2022 post alleging Huang stole 22,000 ETH from the cryptocurrency management firm Formosa Financial.

The lawsuit asserts that the article lacked substantiation and that the “defendant’s claims about the plaintiff’s alleged criminal behavior are categorically false.”

It states that ZachXBT intended to profit personally from the article by attracting clicks, encouraging retweets, and “attracting additional ‘donations’ to fund his lifestyle, all at the expense of the plaintiff’s reputation.”

According to the lawsuit, Huang’s efforts to have the article removed were unsuccessful, and he is now pursuing a jury trial and damages.

“The lawsuit is without merit and an attempt to stifle free expression. “I intend to fight back and defend free speech,” ZachXBT wrote on Twitter, adding that he had set up a donation address to “assist with the legal costs associated with defending this matter, which could easily exceed $1 million.”

According to Etherscan, the balance is around 33 ETH, or approximately $57,000. He shared the wallet address on Twitter.

“All EVM chains are accepted, and stablecoins are preferred,” ZachXBT wrote, adding that any remaining funds would be returned proportionally to contributors.

He wrote, “This is a classic David and Goliath tale.” “From what I gather, Machi is very wealthy. I am not. He is attempting to stifle me with his finances. I request your assistance so this doesn’t occur and the truth survives.”

ZachXBT blacked out his name in a tweet about the lawsuit on Friday, but his legal name is visible in copies of the case accessible through public databases.