Memecoin Launchpad Founder Ben Pasternak Under Fire for Alleged Token Deal Violations

rekt_but_resilient · 2026-03-23T17:52:40+00:00

Ben Pasternak faces scrutiny for allegedly violating a commercial agreement with Kled by conducting unauthorized token transfers. Kled's CEO claims these actions destabilized the market, leading to corrective measures and reduced Pasternak's token stake. He has not publicly responded to the accusations.

rekt_but_resilient

2026-03-23 17:52:40

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Ben Pasternak, founder of the memecoin launchpad platform Believe, has come under scrutiny following claims of improper token transactions linked to AI data company Kled. According to reports from Crypto.News, the controversy centers on alleged violations of a prior commercial agreement between the two parties.

The Core Dispute: Broken Commitments and Token Transfers

Kled’s CEO Avi Pastel has publicly stated that Ben Pasternak engaged in undisclosed token transfers to a third party, a move that violated the original arrangement barring open market sales. According to Pastel, the memecoin founder had previously agreed to pursue only over-the-counter (OTC) transactions or token destruction if liquidity adjustments became necessary.

The CEO further contended that Pasternak misrepresented both the timeline and pricing of these transfers. This forced Kled’s team into a reactive position, requiring them to execute multiple token buyback operations to prevent market destabilization. Pasternak cited tax obligations as justification for the sales, though Pastel disputed the legitimacy of this explanation and noted that the identity of the third-party recipient remains unclear.

Token Holdings Restructured Amid Growing Tensions

Kled’s management took corrective action by reducing Ben Pasternak’s token allocation through OTC arrangements, cutting his stake from 6% to 1.7% of total holdings. However, the situation escalated when Pastel alleged that the founder resumed unauthorized transactions approximately one week prior to the public disclosure of these allegations.

The Fallout and Continued Silence

Ben Pasternak has refrained from issuing any public statement in response to the accusations. His absence from social media platform X has been particularly notable, with no activity recorded since October 20. Avi Pastel concluded by characterizing Ben Pasternak’s conduct as fundamentally problematic, cautioning other projects and investors about potential risks associated with engaging with the Believe founder. The situation underscores ongoing tensions within the memecoin ecosystem regarding token management protocols and contractual compliance.

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