ZEVA Coin Listing Claims Under Scrutiny After Media Partnership Fallout

Background: Who Are ZEVA Coin and NewsWay?

ZEVA Coin emerged earlier this year as a blockchain project that claimed to focus on decentralized finance (DeFi) and community-driven growth.
With the growing interest in Web3 solutions and digital tokens, the project positioned itself as a new opportunity for investors.
While still in its early stages, ZEVA Coin sought visibility through digital partnerships and media campaigns.

NewsWay, on the other hand, is a digital news platform that covers blockchain, finance, and technology.
Known for its regional and industry-specific reports, the platform has worked with several crypto projects in the past including Pi Network, Eco-6 lumi, PiBridge, Sidra Bank, Ice Network, Hamster Kombat and Notcoin
to provide sponsored content, announcements, and community updates.
According to NewsWay, the media outlet agreed to a structured partnership with ZEVA Coin in June 2025.

The Partnership Agreement

According to NewsWay’s account, the verbal agreement took place on June 3rd, 2025, required the outlet to as usual produce and publish
20 articles and updates about ZEVA Coin. In exchange, the compensation structure was reportedly agreed to as follows:

• 60% of the payment in USDT (Tether), a widely used stablecoin.
• 40% of the payment in ZEVA Coin’s native token ($ZEVA).

NewsWay further alleges that the token disbursement was made into what they describe as a “Slush Wallet”, a Web3 wallet operating on the Sui Blockchain but were yet to pay any dime from the agreed USDT (70%) and insisted 60% of the Job should be done before the release of the 70% USDT.
While the initial phase of the partnership went ahead, the issues reportedly began when NewsWay started
investigating ZEVA Coin’s promised exchange listings.

Disputed Exchange Listings

One of the major selling points of many crypto projects is their ability to secure listings on
centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX).
NewsWay claims that ZEVA Coin’s team informed them the token would soon be listed on Cetus,
a decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Sui Blockchain.

However, upon contacting Cetus directly, NewsWay reports that the exchange denied any knowledge of ZEVA Coin,
stating they had no ongoing discussions or planned listings involving the project.
This discrepancy raised concerns for NewsWay about the legitimacy of the claims being made by ZEVA Coin’s team.

The situation highlights a common issue in the crypto sector:
some projects may prematurely or inaccurately advertise exchange listings to boost investor confidence or encourage pre-sales.
Without proper verification, such claims can mislead not only investors but also media outlets that cover these projects.

Silence from ZEVA Coin Team

NewsWay reports that after raising these concerns and seeking clarification from ZEVA Coin representatives,
communication began to break down. Attempts to contact the project team reportedly went unanswered,
and some of ZEVA Coin’s public communication channels were allegedly deactivated or made inactive.

While silence does not necessarily confirm wrongdoing, it often fuels speculation.
In an industry where transparency and community engagement are critical to building trust,
the lack of communication has raised red flags among observers.
The absence of official statements has left a vacuum filled with speculation and growing skepticism.

Understanding Crypto Pre-Sales and Their Risks

To understand why disputes like this matter, it’s essential to examine how crypto pre-sales work.
Pre-sales are fundraising rounds conducted before a token is officially listed on exchanges.
Early investors or partners typically receive tokens at discounted rates, with the promise that
the token will later gain value once it is publicly tradable.

While pre-sales can provide genuine opportunities, they are also risky.
Common risks include:

• Projects overstating their exchange listings or partnerships.
• Teams lacking transparency about tokenomics or distribution.
• Anonymous developers who disappear after raising funds.
• Media partnerships used as a tool to build credibility without long-term plans.

Regulators worldwide have cautioned investors to exercise due diligence before engaging in pre-sales,
as many fraudulent schemes have emerged under this model.
The ZEVA Coin–NewsWay case, regardless of its final outcome, underscores the importance of such caution.

Industry Reactions

Reactions to the situation have been mixed. Some blockchain analysts argue that NewsWay may have
rushed into the partnership without conducting sufficient due diligence. Others suggest that
ZEVA Coin’s alleged silence and disputed exchange claims point to deeper concerns.

Crypto communities on social media have also discussed the matter, with some expressing sympathy for NewsWay
and others calling for clearer industry standards around media partnerships and token listings.
Transparency, many argue, is key to maintaining trust between projects, media outlets, and investors.

Lessons for Media Outlets

The dispute also highlights the risks faced by media outlets that work with emerging crypto projects.
Sponsored content and partnership agreements can provide much-needed revenue, but they also come with reputational risks.
When projects fail to deliver on promises, the media outlets involved can be caught in the backlash.

Experts recommend that news organizations covering crypto:

• Vet projects thoroughly before entering into agreements.
• Require transparent documentation about partnerships and listings.
• Clearly disclose when content is sponsored to avoid misleading readers.
• Seek partial or full payments in stablecoins or fiat to minimize exposure.

Protecting Investors: Red Flags to Watch For

For everyday investors, cases like this serve as a reminder to remain vigilant.
Common red flags in crypto projects include:

• Anonymous or unreachable development teams.
• Unverified claims about exchange listings.
• Complicated or unclear token distribution models.
• Heavy reliance on marketing without clear use cases.
• Sudden shutdown of official communication channels.

Investors are encouraged to perform independent research, verify official announcements
directly with exchanges, and avoid investing funds they cannot afford to lose.

Broader Implications for the Crypto Industry

The crypto industry continues to grapple with balancing innovation and investor protection.
While decentralized systems aim to democratize finance, the lack of centralized oversight often creates
opportunities for mismanagement or exploitation. Cases like the ZEVA Coin–NewsWay dispute remind stakeholders
that trust and accountability remain central challenges.

Moving forward, industry participants argue that stronger self-regulation, transparent communication,
and community oversight may help reduce the frequency of such controversies.
Until then, caution remains the watchword for anyone engaging with early-stage crypto projects.

Conclusion

The allegations surrounding ZEVA Coin and NewsWay illustrate the complexities and risks of the fast-moving cryptocurrency landscape.
While NewsWay maintains that it fulfilled its partnership obligations and was misled about exchange listings,
ZEVA Coin has not provided a formal response to clarify its position.
The absence of dialogue leaves key questions unanswered and reinforces the importance of transparency in crypto partnerships.

For media outlets, investors, and projects alike, the lesson is clear: due diligence, open communication,
and verified information are critical to building lasting trust.
Until greater clarity emerges, stakeholders are advised to remain cautious and prioritize independent verification
over promotional promises.