The cryptocurrency community was left shocked after the developer of Zerebro appeared to take his own life during a livestream on 4 May. Just four days later, however, a journalist reported seeing him alive outside his family home.
This has led to intense speculation about the incident, raising questions about its authenticity, its motivations, and the wider consequences for investors and public figures in decentralised projects.
Livestream Incident and Immediate Reactions
On 4 May, a livestream on Pump fun showed what appeared to be the developer of Zerebro, 22-year-old Jeffy Yu, ending his life on camera. The video spread quickly on social media. Many believed it was real, especially after an obituary was posted on Legacy.
The ZEREBRO token, which powers Yu’s AI-based content platform, reacted with sharp trading volume and price changes.
However, within two days, new information emerged that began to cast doubt. A letter claiming to be from Yu circulated online, stating he was alive. On-chain analysts also noticed that wallets linked to Yu remained active after the alleged incident.
Then on 8 May, a journalist from the San Francisco Standard reported speaking briefly with Yu outside his parents’ house.
Yu declined to discuss the event but said, “You can see the PTSD in my eyes, right?” before asking the journalist to leave. He wore clothing resembling what was seen in the livestream.
The community began to question whether the incident had occurred. Some viewed it as a potential mental health crisis.
Others argued it may have been staged to escape public pressure or influence market behaviour. Either way, the lack of explanation has created deep unease among investors and observers alike.
ZEREBRO Wallets Active After Livestream
Blockchain data showed that wallets linked to Jeffy Yu had moved around $1.5 million worth of ZEREBRO tokens after 4 May. These funds were sent to various addresses, including one associated with the launch of a memecoin called Legacoin or LLJEFFY.
Initially assumed to be a tribute, the token now appears to be under Yu’s control, raising further doubts about the original livestream.
Zerebro was launched in late 2024 as a platform focused on content creation using artificial intelligence.
The ZEREBRO token reached a market capitalisation of $660 million on 3 January 2025, before falling below $20 million by April. The price collapse may have contributed to the pressure Yu faced as the developer behind the project.
Following the journalist’s report confirming Yu is alive, the token experienced renewed activity. On 9 May, ZEREBRO was trading at $0.0546 with a 38.6% daily increase and over $43 million in trading volume.
The token now holds a market capitalisation of around $55 million, with nearly one billion tokens in circulation.
The new token LLJEFFY also saw increased trading. But the fact that it shares wallet links with Yu has sparked criticism, with many in the community accusing the developer of misleading the public.
In a letter reportedly sent to an investor, Yu claimed he had received threats and feared for his safety after his home address was shared publicly. His brief public remark about PTSD also echoed this statement.
These developments come amid growing concerns about personal safety in cryptocurrency. According to data compiled by Jameson Lopp, there have been more than 150 physical attacks related to cryptocurrency since 2014, with 46 of them occurring in the past 12 months. Developers and public figures remain vulnerable when their identities are exposed.
Conclusion
The incident involving Zerebro’s developer has left many unanswered questions. If the livestream was real, it points to a serious personal crisis. If it was staged, it raises major concerns about transparency and investor trust.
On-chain activity shows continued control of assets, and a journalist has confirmed that Yu is alive. With no official statement from the developer and millions in token value affected, the situation remains unresolved.
This event serves as a reminder of the challenges facing individuals at the centre of digital asset projects.