The launch of the Omni Network (OMNI) token has been marred by a dramatic price drop and a separate scam involving a fake token.

OMNI Airdrop Followed by Price Crash

The layer-1 testnet blockchain airdropped 3 million OMNI tokens (3% of total supply) to early users on April 17th. Within 18 hours, the price of OMNI plummeted over 55%, dropping from $53.80 to around $24. This sharp decline resulted in the market capitalization falling from $560 million to $267.5 million.

Fake OMNI Token Exploits Launch Confusion

Capitalizing on the launch hype, scammers created a fake token with the same OMNI ticker. This fake token experienced a “rug pull,” where developers dumped a massive amount of tokens, causing its price to crash 100%. Blockchain security firm PeckShield identified the scam and highlighted the importance of user vigilance.

Coinbase and Binance List OMNI with Caution

Despite the rocky launch, major exchanges Coinbase and Binance have listed OMNI for trading. Both platforms have labeled OMNI as a high-risk asset with low liquidity.

Coinbase will only enable trading once sufficient liquidity is established. Binance requires users to pass a quiz acknowledging the risks before trading OMNI.

Token Distribution Raises Concerns

The token distribution plan allocates a significant portion (29.5%) to “ecosystem development” controlled by the Omni Foundation. Another 23.3% is reserved for investors and advisors, with a three-year vesting schedule. These allocations raise concerns about potential market manipulation and control by a limited group.

The future of the Omni Network remains uncertain. The significant price drop and token distribution structure raise questions about its long-term viability. Users should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before investing in OMNI.