Lula coalition seeks probe into crypto rewards tied to pro-Flávio posts

Lula coalition seeks probe into crypto rewards tied to pro-Flávio posts
Lula’s re-election coalition has asked Brazil’s electoral authorities to investigate Brasil 22 Token, or B22, arguing that its cryptocurrency giveaway may amount to paid online electioneering or voter inducement on behalf of presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro.

The coalition says the project offered 30,000 tokens to each of the first 1,000 people to promote its material on X, Instagram or TikTok. Its filing argues that the slogan — “Buy. Publish. Inspire. Earn B22” — and messages encouraging voters to back number 22 conflict with the project’s assertion that token distribution is unrelated to voting preferences or campaign promotion. The coalition requested preservation of platform and transaction records, as well as international cooperation to identify the domain’s operators.

Its complaint also highlights the role of HypersKids, a Ugandan children’s dance group with a large Instagram following. According to the coalition, 120 million tokens were transferred to a wallet presented as belonging to the group shortly before a video appeared showing children in B22 shirts urging support for number 22. The filing asks authorities to establish whether payments, campaign coordination or improper use of children’s images occurred. It stresses that the allegations still require investigation and do not by themselves establish candidate responsibility.

Critics quoted in reporting on the project see a broader legal concern. Electoral lawyer Hélio Silveira said the mechanism follows the same basic logic as campaigns that offer financial rewards for spreading candidate material: “It offers financial incentives for people to publicize the campaign and the candidate.” The B22 site, by contrast, says it is not official, endorsed by, or connected to any politician, party, candidacy or electoral campaign.

Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign has gone further, saying it has no relationship with the site and intends to ask a court to take it down. “There are no profiles hired by Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign to advertise, whether products or content,” the campaign said, adding that its official channels had been reported to the electoral court and follow election rules.

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