Elon Musk’s X has moved to block a growing source of spam on the platform. On Thursday, the company banned the handles of several InfoFi apps, citing a surge in spam and automated activity.
The decision was announced by Nikita Bier, head of product at X, as part of a revision to the platform’s developer API policies. X said the move is aimed at improving user experience by sharply reducing bot-driven content.
“We have revoked API access from these apps, so your X experience should start improving soon,” Bier said. “If your developer account was terminated, please reach out and we will assist in transitioning your business to Threads and Bluesky.”
What are InfoFi apps
InfoFi apps are platforms that convert online activity into blockchain-based assets. They turn content such as X posts, Discord messages, and GitHub activity into digital tokens that can be traded or monetised. The model allows creators to earn revenue directly from protocols rather than relying on advertising.
Many of these apps use post-to-earn models that reward users for high engagement. In several cases, this requires access to X’s enterprise-level API to automate posting and interaction.
Critics say this structure encouraged large volumes of low-quality and machine-generated content.
Why X stepped in
According to Bier, X’s internal review found that bot activity linked to InfoFi apps had grown to levels that degraded the platform.
The company has now begun removing API access for these apps, cutting off their ability to automate posts and scrape engagement data. The move triggered a wave of reactions across X.
On-chain security researcher ZachXBT was among the most vocal supporters of the decision.
“The inorganic activity / fake metrics was obvious if you have common sense and it made X borderline unusable for everyone else,” ZachXBT said.
He accused several InfoFi projects of running “AI slop campaigns” that flooded timelines with repetitive, machine-first content.
Long-running battle with bots
The issue of bots has been central to Musk’s ownership of X since he acquired the platform in 2022.
Musk has repeatedly warned that automated spam distorts discourse, spreads misinformation, and creates financial risk. These concerns are particularly acute in crypto-related content, where scams and market manipulation are common.
High volumes of fake engagement can mislead users, inflate token prices, and expose retail investors to losses.
In 2025, Ethos Network CEO Serpin Taxt began testing a prototype tool designed to help users filter AI-generated clutter from their timelines. ZachXBT later said he was collaborating on similar research projects.
What comes next
X’s decision signals a tighter stance on automated monetisation models that rely heavily on spam-like behaviour.
By cutting off API access, the platform is effectively forcing InfoFi apps to rethink how they operate. Bier’s suggestion that affected developers move to Threads or Bluesky also highlights rising competition among social platforms for developers and creators.
For now, X is betting that fewer bots will restore trust, reduce noise, and make the platform usable again. Especially for markets, crypto, and real-time financial discussion.
Whether the move curbs spam long term will depend on how quickly bad actors adapt.
