Representatives of the now-defunct FTX Africa find themselves in grave danger as they navigate through life-threatening threats from their own community. These ambassadors, initially entrusted with the task of expanding FTX Africa’s user base, are now facing severe backlash after the company’s financial collapse. The situation has escalated to the point where some ambassadors fear for their lives.

Pius Okedinachi, who previously managed educational initiatives at FTX Africa, shared his story with CoinDesk, highlighting how the platform once seemed promising compared to its competitors. “We encouraged many of our close ones to join the FTX platform,” he said. However, in the aftermath of FTX’s downfall, those they had recruited turned against them, eroding the trust of their friends and family members.

The controversy revolves around FTX Africa’s ambitious initiative led by Sam Bankman-Fried, aimed at expanding the company’s presence in Africa, primarily among college students. Sadly, this initiative suffered a severe setback following FTX’s collapse, leaving brand ambassadors to bear the brunt of the community’s anger.

Unlike competitors Binance and KuCoin, FTX Africa’s engagement program, which spanned two years, focused on recruiting tech-savvy, younger demographics. Insiders from FTX Uganda’s student engagement effort revealed that while students were enticed by potential profits, they often lacked a full understanding of the substantial financial risks involved.

CoinDesk reported that one ambassador had withdrawn from public view out of fear of retaliation from the community for encouraging investments in the failed FTX platform. Several ambassadors have remained out of the public eye for months as the community demands accountability. Physical threats have been directed at these ambassadors, exacerbating an already dire situation.

When a project or organization within the industry faces significant challenges, the impact goes beyond mere financial losses. The livelihoods and social identities of stakeholders are often tragically affected. The case of FTX Africa serves as a somber reminder of this harsh reality, shedding light on the broader consequences of financial collapses within the industry.