On-chain analytics firm Bubblemaps has identified wallets linked to controversial figure Hayden Davis, promoter of the LIBRA meme coin, which allegedly generated approximately $12 million in profits from sniping Kanye West's YZY token shortly after its launch. According to the report, 14 addresses associated with Davis purchased YZY just one minute after its official announcement, deploying $2.8 million in capital.
The timing raised suspicions, as Davis's $57.6 million in USDC—previously frozen due to its connection to the LIBRA launch—was unfrozen by a Manhattan federal judge just one day before the YZY token went live. Bubblemaps noted that these addresses were funded via centralized exchanges the day before the launch, suggesting premeditated sniping. Davis has a history of similar operations, having previously sniped MELANIA and LIBRA tokens, the latter of which crashed 99% on its first day despite promotion by Argentine President Javier Milei.
Bubblemaps emphasized that while it cannot confirm insider knowledge, the patterns—including funding transactions, CCTP transfers, and joint deposit behavior—point to Davis's involvement. Davis, CEO of Kelsier Ventures, has defended sniping as a measure to prevent price collapse but denied personally executing it. He and Meteora founder Ben Chow remain embroiled in a $100 million lawsuit related to LIBRA, though the judge recently expressed skepticism about the plaintiffs' case.