DefiLlama's development team tried to buy back DL News' domain and X account. Legal restrictions blocked the deal. The platform warns users to verify official domains.
DefiLlama has cut its partnership with DL News, the crypto media outlet that shut down in May 2026. The split comes after unidentified buyers acquired DL News' official website and X account in a private sale.
The DefiLlama development team said it attempted to buy back those digital assets. The deal fell through because of legal ownership restrictions that prevented the team from regaining control. The buyers' identities remain unknown.
DefiLlama now explicitly states it no longer endorses any content published under the DL News brand. The data aggregator warned users to verify they are accessing DefiLlama through its official domain and not through redirected links that might originate from the former media partner's site.
For traders and analysts who rely on DefiLlama's on-chain data, the separation carries zero operational impact. The platform's data feeds, API access, and user interface remain unchanged. The risk is narrower but sharper: reputation. If the new owners of DL News publish misleading information or impersonate DefiLlama's brand, users could be confused or tricked. The domain history and X account follower base give the buyers a ready-made audience.
DefiLlama's team said it will monitor the situation and update the community if impersonation attempts appear. The preemptive break removes any ambiguity about DefiLlama's stance toward the old partner.
The sale of a defunct media outlet's digital assets is not unusual in crypto. What stands out is the anonymity of the buyers and the fact that DefiLlama's own bid failed. That combination raises the question of intent. A domain and a social account with a built-in DeFi audience are valuable tools for phishing campaigns or pump-and-dump setups, especially if the new owners never disclose themselves.
DefiLlama's official domain remains defillama.com. Users should bookmark it rather than rely on search results or old links from DL News. The team declined to comment further on the buyers or the sale price. No additional details have been disclosed.
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