Drama are always there just to avoid responsibility of paying is a total mind freaking method of these guys. You already gave your KYC information, the reason of sorting out cheaters for this, is the job of their manager, but the payment is on the team. So there is a big chance that they just really pushing the payment due to changes of circumstances, especially they were listed on top exchange. Aside from dumping, some of them thinking this is not fair to pay them huge. Well its on them.

If this continues, create a scam flag for their project. Im sure, many will support it.