As DeFi.app announced updated vesting terms for the Echo token on June 9, the tone among investors shifted from excitement to frustration.
A surprise change to vesting terms just hours before the Token Generation Event (TGE) sent shockwaves across the crypto community, especially among early Echo backers who claim the project has sidelined its supporters in favor of centralized exchange demands.
Backlash over vesting revision and exchange influence
The controversy began after an investor, known as Rahulxero, publicly criticized DeFi.app’s updated vesting plan of the Echo token in a post on X. Originally, investors were promised a 33% token unlock at the TGE, followed by monthly vesting over two years.
However, according to Rahulxero, the project suddenly reduced the initial unlock to 25% and stretched the remaining vesting over 36 months, starting in 2026.
“Why tf you're sucking to CEXs now and fucking your investor over some listing, You're bending over for CEXs and screwing your earliest backers?,” he wrote, arguing that the team prioritized exchange requirements over transparency and loyalty.
Rahulxero claimed the justification for the change was tied to an alleged Binance listing condition, further fueling speculation of centralized influence.
While no evidence has confirmed a rug pull or misuse of funds, the abrupt change and lack of direct communication from the DeFi.app team have left many investors concerned about project governance and accountability.
Echo platform responds, community voices mixed reactions
The Echo team, including co-founder Cobie, responded to the uproar by clarifying the platform’s role. In a post on X, Cobie stated that vesting changes are often made to meet exchange demands and are an expected risk in seed-stage investments.
“No projects are "echo incubated". Echo is a platform to let professional investors share deals with their followers -- they can run a group as an alternative to running a fund.,” he said in a post on X, mentioning that there are no guaranteed outcomes.
Community members echoed this sentiment. User Delta pointed out that these adjustments are often beyond the platform’s control, while others like Lord Ashdrake defended the broader Echo model, emphasizing its value in democratizing early-stage access.
Still, users like Rex and Larp advised caution, noting that shifting terms are common and highlighting the importance of managing risk in speculative markets.
