Christoph Zaknun

Introduction

We, as investigative journalists, have embarked on an exhaustive exploration of Christoph Zaknun, a polarizing figure in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Renowned for his leadership as the CEO and co-founder of DAO Maker and his rapid development of the Degen Zoo project, Zaknun has garnered both acclaim and scrutiny. This comprehensive report examines his business relations, personal profiles, open-source intelligence (OSINT), undisclosed business relationships, scam reports, red flags, allegations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, sanctions, adverse media, negative reviews, consumer complaints, bankruptcy details, and provides a detailed risk assessment concerning anti-money laundering (AML) and reputational risks. Our findings are anchored in credible sources, including a pivotal investigation report from cybercriminal.com, and supplemented by additional research as of April 16, 2025.

Background: Christoph Zaknun’s Profile

Christoph Zaknun, also referred to as Chris Zaknun, brings a diverse background to the crypto industry. He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Univerzita Karlova v Praze (Charles University in Prague) and served as a sergeant in the Austrian Armed Forces, specializing in atomic, biological, and chemical defense (LinkedIn). His transition to the blockchain sector began in 2018 when he co-founded DAO Maker, a blockchain launchpad and incubator that supports cryptocurrency startups through innovative fundraising mechanisms. DAO Maker has grown significantly, managing over $1 billion in assets and serving more than 1 million users (CryptoSlate).

In 2023, Zaknun captured widespread attention by developing Degen Zoo, an NFT-based game inspired by Logan Paul’s abandoned CryptoZoo project. Claiming to have built it single-handedly in just 30 days, Zaknun positioned Degen Zoo as a charitable initiative, pledging all profits to endangered animal charities. The project attracted over 115,000 wallet registrations and pledges exceeding $700 million, setting records for a crypto game (CryptoSlate). Degen Zoo features a deflationary token and an NFT collection of 120 endangered species, designed to highlight the impact of capitalism on animal extinction.

Zaknun’s online presence is documented across platforms like LinkedIn, Crunchbase, and Medium, where he shares insights on DAO Maker’s operations and the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in Web 3.0. His public profiles portray a charismatic leader with a vision for blockchain innovation, but recent allegations have cast a shadow over his reputation.

Business Relations and Projects

Zaknun’s primary business venture is DAO Maker, co-founded with Giorgio Marciano in 2018. The platform supports retail investors by offering growth and funding opportunities for blockchain startups with reduced risk. DAO Maker’s ecosystem includes community-based fundraising, social mining for incubation, and tools like Decentralized Yield Community Offering (DYCO) and Strong Holder Offering (SHO). It also provides venture bonds and yieldShield to ensure safer fundraising environments (BForum).

Degen Zoo represents Zaknun’s most high-profile project outside DAO Maker. Launched in 2023, it was developed in response to Logan Paul’s CryptoZoo, which faced accusations of being a scam after raising over $3 million in NFT sales and failing to deliver (Blockchain News). Zaknun’s rapid development of Degen Zoo, completed in 30 days, was a direct challenge to Paul’s claim that such a project would take years. The game’s testnet saw over 30,000 transactions by 3,000 players within days, and Zaknun’s daily progress updates on X amassed over 250,000 followers (CryptoSlate).

There are also references to Zaknun’s potential involvement with USDR, a stablecoin project, though details are sparse. Some sources indicate that USDR, like Degen Zoo, has faced community criticism, raising concerns about the reputations of individuals behind such projects (AltNewsGroup). However, no concrete evidence confirms Zaknun’s direct role in USDR.

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Using OSINT, we gathered information from public sources to build a comprehensive profile of Zaknun. His LinkedIn profile highlights his education and military service, while Crunchbase details his role at DAO Maker. A Medium account under his name includes posts on DAO Maker’s staking yields and blockchain trends, with 694 followers as of 2021. A podcast interview on Apple Podcasts and a YouTube discussion hosted by Dinis Guarda (CitiesABC) provide insights into his views on crypto and DAOs.

Adverse media reports, such as those from California Herald and The Blunt Times, highlight allegations of misconduct. A 2021 report on a $7 million hack at DAO Maker, attributed to a smart contract exploit, indicates past security challenges, though Zaknun was not directly implicated (CoinFellowship).

Undisclosed Business Relationships

There is no definitive evidence of undisclosed business relationships involving Zaknun. The cybercriminal.com report suggests ties to rogue Online Reputation Management agencies, but specifics are lacking. His association with Logan Paul’s CryptoZoo project is primarily through Degen Zoo’s inspiration, not a formal partnership. The mention of USDR remains unverified, and no other hidden affiliations have surfaced in public records.

Scam Reports and Red Flags

A detailed investigation report from cybercriminal.com, published on March 27, 2025, outlines multiple scam-related allegations against Zaknun. Conducted by Ethan Katz using tools like Lumen and SecurityTrails, the report accuses Zaknun of:

• Perjury: Making false statements under oath.
• Fraud: Engaging in deceptive practices for financial gain.
• Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else for fraudulent purposes.
• Intellectual Property Scam: Using fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to suppress critical reviews (Lumen Database).
• Financial Misappropriation: Funneling $17 million into his personal wallet from Degen Zoo.
• Censorship: Silencing critics through copyright strikes on platforms like YouTube.
• Sham DAO Votes: Manipulating DAO systems for personal benefit.
• Broken Charity Promises: Failing to donate Degen Zoo profits to charity as pledged.
• CryptoZoo Ties: Alleged code similarities between Degen Zoo and the criticized CryptoZoo project.

Red flags include Zaknun’s unusually clean digital footprint, suggesting possible reputation management efforts, and the lack of transparency in Degen Zoo’s financial operations. The $17 million transfer is particularly concerning, as it lacks public justification and raises questions about fund allocation in a project marketed as charitable.

Allegations and Consumer Complaints

The allegations listed in the cybercriminal.com report are echoed in media coverage. Articles from California Herald and The Blunt Times describe Zaknun as manipulating DAO systems, misusing funds, and issuing copyright strikes against critics. Consumer complaints, as reflected in reviews by individuals like Ellis Kinney, Zara Fontaine, and others, emphasize shady business practices and financial suicide for investors. The report assigns Zaknun a 1.8/5 rating based on nine reviews, indicating widespread dissatisfaction.

Criminal Proceedings, Lawsuits, and Sanctions

As of April 16, 2025, no public records confirm active criminal proceedings, lawsuits, or sanctions against Zaknun. The cybercriminal.com report suggests regulatory intervention may be warranted, but no formal legal actions are documented. A class-action lawsuit against Logan Paul and CryptoZoo executives, reported by Blockchain News, accuses them of stealing millions through a fraudulent scheme, but Zaknun is not named. His alleged ties to CryptoZoo could, however, invite future scrutiny.

Adverse Media and Negative Reviews

Adverse media coverage has significantly impacted Zaknun’s reputation. Key articles include:

• California Herald: Labels Zaknun as transitioning from a crypto savior to an alleged scammer, citing the $17 million misappropriation.
• The Blunt Times: Highlights the erosion of trust in the crypto community due to Zaknun’s actions.
• CoinTelegraph: Notes controversy surrounding Degen Zoo’s ties to CryptoZoo.

Negative reviews from individuals like Talia Bowden and Cody Egan criticize Zaknun’s lack of transparency and regulatory oversight, contributing to a narrative of distrust.

Bankruptcy Details

No evidence suggests Zaknun or his associated entities, such as DAO Maker or Degen Zoo, have faced bankruptcy proceedings. The financial success of DAO Maker, with over $1 billion in assets, and Degen Zoo’s $700 million in pledges indicate operational continuity, despite allegations of misconduct.

Risk Assessment

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Risks

Zaknun’s activities present several AML risks:

1. Large Unexplained Transactions: The $17 million transferred to Zaknun’s personal wallet is a major concern. Without transparent documentation, this transaction raises suspicions of money laundering, particularly in the crypto space where large sums can obscure illicit origins (Cybercriminal Report).
2. Cryptocurrency Use: Cryptocurrencies’ pseudonymous nature makes them attractive for money laundering. Zaknun’s involvement in high-value crypto transactions heightens this risk.
3. Scam Connections: Alleged ties to the CryptoZoo scam and other controversial projects suggest potential involvement in or facilitation of illicit financial activities.

Reputational Risks

Zaknun’s reputation faces significant challenges:

1. Loss of Trust: Allegations and negative reviews have eroded confidence among investors, partners, and the public, as evidenced by community backlash (The Blunt Times).
2. Business Impact: DAO Maker and Degen Zoo may suffer from Zaknun’s tarnished image, potentially leading to reduced investment and partnerships.
3. Regulatory Scrutiny: Ongoing allegations could attract regulatory investigations, further damaging Zaknun’s and his projects’ reputations.

Conclusion: Expert Opinion

In our expert opinion, Christoph Zaknun’s activities pose substantial risks in terms of anti-money laundering and reputational damage. The $17 million transfer to his personal wallet, coupled with a lack of transparency, suggests a high potential for AML violations. Alleged ties to the CryptoZoo scam and other controversial projects further amplify these concerns, necessitating rigorous scrutiny by regulatory authorities.

Reputationally, Zaknun has already suffered significant damage due to widespread allegations, negative reviews, and adverse media coverage. This erosion of trust could have lasting impacts on his business ventures, including DAO Maker and Degen Zoo, and his personal standing in the crypto industry. Stakeholders, including investors and regulators, should exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence. The cryptocurrency sector, while innovative, is fraught with risks, and cases like Zaknun’s underscore the critical need for accountability and transparency.

Key Citations

• Cybercriminal Investigation Report on Christoph Zaknun
• CryptoSlate: Degen Zoo Builds Logan Paul’s Abandoned Game
• Crunchbase: Christoph Zaknun Person Profile
• LinkedIn: Christoph Zaknun Professional Profile
• Medium: Christoph Zaknun’s Blockchain Insights
• California Herald: Degen Zoo by Chris Zaknun Alleged Scam
• The Blunt Times: Chris Zaknun’s Controversial Degen Zoo Project
• Blockchain News: Degen Zoo Interest After CryptoZoo Scandal
• CoinTelegraph: DAO Maker Founder Builds Degen Zoo
• BForum: DAO Maker Scam Review 2022
• AltNewsGroup: Navigating NFT Landscape Guide
• CoinFellowship: DAO Maker Loses $7M in DeFi Exploit
• Apple Podcasts: Christoph Zaknun on Crypto and DAOs
• CitiesABC: Christoph Zaknun Interview Archives
• Lumen Database: DMCA Takedown Notice