Binance Flags Suspected Insider Trading as ‘Year of the Yellow Fruit’ Token Surges Again

Binance says it has suspended an employee after an internal review pointed to possible insider trading linked to a newly listed token that the crypto community believes is the “year of the yellow fruit” meme coin.

In a statement posted Monday, the exchange said its audit team received a report on Dec. 7 claiming that a staff member used official Binance social accounts to promote a token moments after it was created onchain. According to Binance, the employee posted text and images about the listing “less than a minute” after the token went live at 05:29 UTC, allegedly for personal benefit.

Binance called the actions a clear misuse of authority and a violation of company policy. The exchange said it has contacted authorities in the employee’s jurisdiction and may pursue legal action. The employee has been suspended while the investigation continues.

Although Binance didn’t name the token, the details point to the “year of the yellow fruit” coin, which launched on BNB Chain around 5:30 UTC before rapidly climbing in value. Data from DEX Screener shows the coin reached $0.0038 within an hour of its appearance and promotion on X.

What followed reflected both the speed and unpredictability of crypto markets. After Binance publicly confirmed signs of insider trading, the token spiked even higher, reaching above $0.0061. It has since settled to around $0.001989 with a fully diluted value near $1.9 million. Trading activity has been heavy, with roughly $13 million in volume and 3,658 holders recorded on BSC Scan.

The token’s unusual name appears tied to a Binance social post on Dec. 4 quoting Raoul Pal at Binance Blockchain Week, referencing “yellow fruit” and encouraging users to “plant wisely” and “harvest abundantly.” Screenshots circulating online suggest the alleged employee leaned on that imagery to boost the coin privately.

Community speculation intensified in the days leading up to Binance’s announcement. One X user, Marcos Crypto, claimed on Sunday that onchain data already pointed to internal involvement, stirring wider conversation about transparency on major exchanges.

BNB Chain has been one of the year’s stronger performers, benefiting from activity on Aster perps DEX, momentum from Binance Alpha, and steady growth in its memecoin scene. PancakeSwap, the chain’s largest DEX, has recently reported trading volumes comparable to the 2021 peak.

Binance reiterated that it maintains a “user-first” approach and won’t tolerate misconduct. The company also said it will distribute a $100,000 reward among five whistleblowers who flagged the suspicious activity through its reporting channel.

This incident highlights both the challenges of policing fast-moving crypto markets and the continued pressure on major exchanges to maintain trust. For now, Binance says it’s tightening internal controls to prevent repeat cases, while traders watch to see whether the “yellow fruit” frenzy has run its course.