rug-pull
Developer abandons project
A rug-pull is a scam where someone builds trust or investment, then abruptly withdraws support—pulling the rug out from under victims.
The term gained currency in cryptocurrency, where developers hype a token, attract buyers, then drain the funds and vanish: The whole project turned out to be a rug-pull.
It applies beyond crypto to any sudden betrayal after cultivating dependence.
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- liquidityConvertibility to cash
- blockchainCryptographic linked transaction record
- walletSmall case for currency
- decentralizedLacking single authority
exchange · altcoin · whitepaper · tokenomics · investor · trading · cryptocurrency · memecoin
Deception for financial gain
- conArgument against
- griftSwindle or petty fraud
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- fleeceWool still on sheep
bilk · flimflam · charlatan · grifter · shyster · Ponzi · scheme · fraud
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
disloyalty · perfidy · defection · forsake · betray · trust · deceiver · mislead
Sudden violent impact
- bustFailure or sculpture
- wipeoutComplete, catastrophic failure
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
zero · worthless · vanish · disappear · liquidation · insolvency · default · delisting
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- devastatedOverwhelmed by grief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- betrayedViolated someone's trust
gutted · floored · dumbfounded · reeling · shell-shocked · flabbergasted · sucker-punched · whiplash
token
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- liquidityConvertibility to cash
- blockchainCryptographic linked transaction record
- walletSmall case for currency
decentralized · exchange · altcoin · whitepaper · tokenomics · investor · trading · cryptocurrency · memecoin · airdrop
swindle
Deception for financial gain
fleece · bilk · flimflam · charlatan · grifter · shyster · Ponzi · scheme · fraud · phishing
backstab
Betray someone's trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
abandonment · disloyalty · perfidy · defection · forsake · betray · trust · deceiver · mislead · renegade
crash
Sudden violent impact
meltdown · zero · worthless · vanish · disappear · liquidation · insolvency · default · delisting · freefall
blindsided
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- devastatedOverwhelmed by grief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
betrayed · gutted · floored · dumbfounded · reeling · shell-shocked · flabbergasted · sucker-punched · whiplash · ambushed
rug-pullgood faith
Sincere, honest intent
transparency · honesty · integrity · trustworthiness · fair dealing