Alarming Events at Clanker AI Startup
In a troubling turn of events for the AI startup Clanker, which operates on the Base network, the news broke of a developer’s alarming past involving theft. On May 5, Clanker’s CEO Jack Dishman announced via the X platform that _proxystudio, a developer associated with the company, had tendered his immediate resignation.
Reports surfaced revealing that _proxystudio had previously pilfered a significant sum, approximately $350,000, from the Velodrome Finance team while he was affiliated with that prominent DeFi project. Though he later returned the amount, the grave repercussions of this act have haunted his professional endeavors, particularly at Clanker.
Resignation and Allegations
Following the resignation announcement, it was noted that _proxystudio had been inactive since May 2, failing to offer any clarification on his situation. Complicating matters, some users have alleged that internal conflicts within Clanker relating to the Zora project may have played a role in his departure, suggesting that _proxystudio had been forced out.
Additionally, accusations have surfaced implying that ClankerNews, a reporting outlet for the project, might be managed by _proxystudio himself. This adds a layer of confusion as many in the crypto community had previously viewed him as a credible source.
Background and Ironies
Intriguingly, recent disclosures from Velodrome’s core team member, Alex Cutler, unveiled that _proxystudio was also known as Gabagool.eth and had previously warned the public against scams while participating in various blockchain initiatives. Ironically, shortly after appearing in a Vice News documentary advocating for integrity in the crypto sphere, he orchestrated his own internal theft, nearly crippling the Velodrome project during a volatile market climate—just a month after its launch.
Confrontation and Company Response
As the story unfolds, Alex Cutler recounts his experience of discovering Gabagool’s identity during a Clanker event in New York on April 30. Upon confronting Gabagool, he demanded the truth, which eventually led to Gabagool dropping any pretense and trying to engage in a private discussion. Following this confrontation, news of Gabagool’s misconduct surfaced, prompting a swift response from Clanker’s team.
In Dishman’s public statement, he assured stakeholders that the incident was an isolated occurrence from _proxystudio‘s past and emphasized the company’s commitment to ongoing transparency and operational integrity, stating that their projects and assets would remain unaffected. Alex Cutler corroborated that, to the best of his knowledge, Dishman was entirely unaware of Gabagool’s previous actions, and that there has been no indication of malicious behavior while at Clanker.
Broader Implications
Despite Clanker’s efforts to address the fallout, the impact of this incident spreads beyond the company itself, serving as a stark reminder of the critical need for rigorous background checks within the industry. Many in the crypto community are now questioning why such checks have not been universally adopted. As discussions about systemic vulnerabilities gain traction, this episode reinforces the lessons about trust and verification in the crypto ecosystem.
As the situation develops, stakeholders and observers await further updates, particularly from _proxystudio, now at the center of a scrutiny that could permanently damage reputations both personally and professionally.
