The sister of a major influencer has told the BBC that her sibling copied Andrew Tate's content to grow his following. The claim is part of a BBC Eye investigation into the rise of misogynistic content online. The influencer, described by the programme as a 'manosphere messiah', now faces questions over how he built his audience — and what crypto projects he's tied to.
What the investigation says
BBC Eye's report leans heavily on the sister's account. She alleges the influencer deliberately adopted Tate's persona — the same mix of aggression, alpha-male rhetoric, and disdain for women — to attract a loyal fanbase. Tate, who faces human trafficking charges in Romania, has long used crypto to monetize his following, launching memecoins and promoting paid courses. The BBC hasn't named the influencer, but the timing is awkward for crypto markets that already look shaky.
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Why crypto traders should care
The manosphere culture that Tate and his imitators feed has become a pipeline for influencer-driven crypto projects. Tokens, NFTs, and paid mentorship programs often follow the same playbook: build a devout following, then sell them a crypto asset. With the Fear & Greed Index sitting at 28 — deep in 'Fear' territory — retail sentiment is fragile. Any loss of trust in a major influencer could trigger sell-offs in the low-cap tokens they endorse. Internal analysis suggests the unnamed figure likely has direct or indirect ties to crypto projects, similar to Tate's own ventures. If the influencer is identified and exposed as a promoter, the damage could spread beyond his own community.
The Streisand effect risk
But negative press doesn't always hurt polarising figures. If this influencer's base sees the BBC report as an attack on their beliefs, it could trigger the opposite reaction: more engagement, more donations, more buying of whatever token he's pushing. History shows that Tate's own controversies often rallied his followers instead of repelling them. A short-term price pump in any crypto asset tied to the accused influencer wouldn't surprise anyone who watches these subcultures.
What regulators might do next
The BBC investigation lands at a moment when regulators globally are tightening rules on social media financial promotions. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority already requires influencers to label paid crypto endorsements. If this report sparks a broader backlash, lawmakers could push for stronger enforcement — or even a temporary ban on certain types of influencer promotions. That would hit the manosphere's monetisation model hard, but it could also choke off legitimate projects that happen to use similar marketing channels.
For now, the influencer remains unnamed. But traders are watching closely. On-chain data may already show wallet movements linked to him or his circle — and whether anyone sold ahead of the BBC report. That question won't be answered until the identity is confirmed, and the markets will react the moment it is.
