I would say this situation is almost certainly multiple people using exchange deposit addresses.
I don't think so.
They participated using ETH addresses A, B, C, D etc and they sent tokens to address "X"(accumulating address mentioned in topic).
From address "X" tokens went to different exchanges(hitbtc, Idex etc), does it make any sense to send tokens to other exchanges if you can sell tokens at one exchange?
Ok, lets say that was the case here(multiple people using exchange deposit addresses)There is unbeatable fact that exchange will provide different deposit addresses to different users.
So, lets say they all used addy from exchange to participate in bounties(addresses A, B, C, D).
But in that case this isn't possible:
https://etherscan.io/address/0xfb17eb2cf70ca13a7e4bed5a8479c8725ce08353#tokentxns --> this is deposit address provided by exchange.
https://etherscan.io/address/0x97f81df69beb25e13232db30f49d253407ec0ef0#tokentxns --> hitbtc. There are to possibilities. 1) They participated in bounties with hitbtc addy. 2) they sent tokens to hitbtc and addy "X" is their deposit hitbtc addy.
https://etherscan.io/address/0xb63bd9c004f2d8e7caffe2ab7e72d75c0e713e65#tokentxns --> probably exchange. Not sure, I've seen some exchanges hold tokens like this.
https://etherscan.io/address/0x376e94120e76a7ba5f8ceece4aeced868fa50c6c#tokentxns --> this is deposit address provided by exchange. To
1 user. Do you see that "OUT"? That is exchange.
...unless exchange is exchanging tokens at different exchanges. That would make sense only if exchange didn't list certain tokens, but in that case exchange is either stealing tokens from users or using bot to cheat bounties.
In any case these accounts are connected and abusing bounties. In addition, I see few groups here with very close UID's, very close bountyhive referral numbers and similar usernames:
cryptotaste, cryptoislove, tonmoycrypto, cryptonoel, albertcrypto110, passioncrypto, cryptodreem, cryptovally01, cryptojohnn7, crypto.cr, cryptomad77, CryptoMark2585, MattCrypto43, CryptoChris18, Cryptobuz, criptogenious, ericscrypto54, cryptoroi, Crypto-mim, cryptogrey, cryptoabc, cryptohipo, cryptoama...
Jones12, Hernandez44, Jaslinbor28, Brianlee0112, JacobLiam12, Miller_09, Fordallen09...
LillianScarlett, SamanthaLayla, HarpeCharlotte, GaryCynthia, JustinBrenda, LenaPetrova, EvelynAriana, AudreyAllison, IsabellaSophia, Emma Alex....
multiple people using exchange deposit addresses.
Do you believe in this? Be honest. This is what it is, one big farming rig.
That is most likely addy from exchange. Still, it is their deposit addy.
limiting ppl who join to be member+ will only work for a small amount of time. If these ppl figure out a merit scam and rank up, it will be the same thing over and over again
It's not a bad idea, though. I do think these bounties really need to tighten up their rules, or that Theymos needs to put the smackdown on them and force them to do so. I'm sure these project developers and bounty managers don't care one way or another as long as they get their advertising. It's disgusting.
Theymos should upgrade merit system, set new requirement to reach junior member rank - 10 merits and disable newbie posting in bounty section.