DANNY : DE HEKIt started like any other crypto pitch Zoom — until The Avengers crashed the call.

The meeting was led by two slick presenters — Matt Ward and Nick Sorensen — who delivered their script with the polish of seasoned grifters. They spoke of data liberation, decentralized identity, and the illusion of daily rewards through a so-called blockchain revolution.

But while their delivery sounded like Silicon Valley TED Talk material, what they were actually selling was all too familiar: a repackaged, token-fueled Ponzi scheme wrapped in Web3 buzzwords and MLM tactics.

This time, we’re pulling back the curtain on Optio Community (“optio.community”) — a highly suspicious crypto platform luring in mum and dad investors with buzzwords like “digital freedom,” “data ownership,” and “Web3 empowerment,” while hiding a dangerous recruitment-based compensation model.

What Is Optio Claiming To Be?

Optio presents itself as a decentralized blockchain platform giving users the ability to own their data, earn token rewards, and contribute to a censorship-free digital world. Their marketing promises autonomy, identity control, and financial upside through daily interactions with so-called “Oracle Apps” such as Parler, PlayTV, Bursts, and Kyvo. But behind all the talk of empowerment is a very clear and calculated scheme to profit from node license sales and ambassador recruitment.

The $1,000 Node Scheme: Buy-In or Opt-Out

At the heart of Optio’s ecosystem is a $1,000 “node license” purchase, followed by a recurring hosting fee. Buyers are told this is not an investment and offers no ROI — but the entire pitch contradicts that. You “earn” tokens (OPT) daily. You’re encouraged to buy early to maximize rewards. You get performance dashboards, reward distributions, and airdrop eligibility. All the language and structure suggest passive-style income while disclaiming it in fine print. This is not decentralization. It’s a crypto MLM dressed in Web3 clothing.

Disclaimers Don’t Erase the Truth

Throughout their pitch deck and terms, Optio goes to great lengths to claim: This is not passive income. This is not an investment. There are no guarantees. But when the entire system depends on buying nodes, referring others to do the same, and earning daily token distributions — that is exactly how unregistered investment schemes operate. They know the model is risky, which is why they smother every document in defensive legalese to protect the company while shifting blame to individual ambassadors.

The Ambassador Program: Classic MLM with a Crypto Twist

Once you buy your node, you’re encouraged to become an “Ambassador,” complete with referral links, commission tracking, ACH payouts, and required compliance training. The Ambassador Portal terms confirm that you are rewarded for referring others who also buy nodes. This is multi-level marketing 101, even if they wrap it in blockchain terminology. The real product here isn’t software. It’s recruitment.

Fake Utility: Apps That Don’t Deliver

Optio claims to be integrated with flashy platforms like Parler, PlayTV, Kyvo, and Dazll, but there’s zero proof these apps provide genuine, independent value. PlayTV allegedly lets creators migrate from YouTube and monetize via OPT. Parler claims over 15 million accounts. Kyvo is pitched as a social wallet. Yet none of these apps have meaningful adoption outside of Optio’s own hype bubble. These are placeholders, propped up to simulate utility for a token with no real-world demand.

The OPT Token: A Closed-Loop Trap

Despite listing on low-bar exchanges like Coinstore, the OPT token has no real liquidity, demand, or utility outside of Optio’s circular economy. Tokens are earned by participation and are only useful within Optio-branded apps or to buy more involvement in the system. There is no external buyer for this token. The only ones purchasing or trading it are those hoping to cash out before the scheme collapses. That’s not a currency — that’s a ticking time bomb.

The Pitch Deck: Legal Theater Meets MLM Hype

The April 2025 Optio Node Sales Deck is an absolute case study in manipulation. The deck pushes urgency (“Limited supply”), emotional appeal (“Power the network. Own the infrastructure”), and techno-utopian language (“You’re building the backbone of freedom”). Then, to throw off regulators, it laces every page with disclaimers about how this isn’t an investment. They can’t have it both ways. If it pays rewards, requires buy-in, and recruits others to do the same, it is an investment in disguise.

Regulatory Red Flags Everywhere

The structure violates nearly every test for what constitutes a security under the Howey Test: a financial commitment, expectation of profit, reliance on third-party management, and use of a common enterprise. Their obsessive denials don’t change the fact that this model mirrors previous collapsed scams like HyperFund, StrongBlock, and GSPartners. It’s recruitment-driven, token-looped, and value-light. That’s the anatomy of a Ponzi.

White Paper Warning: The Illusion of a Blockchain Revolution

PDFFor a platform claiming to be at the forefront of Web3 innovation, the Optio White Paper is embarrassingly thin — both in technical depth and in credibility. At just a few pages, it reads more like a marketing flyer than a legitimate blockchain specification.

They speak in abstract terms about “trustless environments,” “data ownership,” and “the OPT ecosystem,” but offer no real codebase, tokenomics breakdown, team bios, or technical proofs. You won’t find GitHub repositories, verifiable smart contract addresses, or auditing firms. Instead, they focus on vague promises about “daily engagement” and “reward cycles” without ever showing how any of it works.

One key quote reads:

“They play a pivotal role in executing The Optio (OPT) Distribution Contract daily…”

So much for decentralization. The very mechanism of daily token payouts is centrally executed — making this a controlled payout system, not a community-powered blockchain. This single sentence torpedoes their claim of being a DAO and exposes a top-down reward funnel engineered to appear autonomous while being tightly managed.

Even the language in the white paper mirrors their pitch deck: emotionally appealing, jargon-filled, and light on substance — a dead giveaway for seasoned scam watchers.

The Vanishing Ambassadors: Who Are Matt Ward and Nick Sorensen?

During a recent Zoom call hosted by Optio, The Avengers dropped in to observe the pitch being delivered by two confident and persuasive speakers: Matt Ward and Nick Sorensen. Both men led the session with smooth talking points about decentralized empowerment and earning from data ownership. They sounded like co-founders or crypto veterans. But here’s the twist: they don’t appear to exist anywhere beyond this scheme.

No LinkedIn. No company records. No prior crypto ventures. No professional trail. Just two anonymous promoters with polished delivery and vague credentials. This lack of transparency isn’t accidental — it’s a deliberate tactic used in MLM-style scams to shield key players from accountability when the structure collapses. If Optio was truly legitimate, its leaders wouldn’t be hiding behind first names and voiceovers.

It’s clear that Matt and Nick are recruiters, not builders. Their job isn’t to innovate. It’s to sell the dream and onboard the next tier of hopefuls.

Who’s Behind Optio? They Still Won’t Say

At the very bottom of their website, a curious line gives it away: “This website is managed by The Optio Consortia Foundation (OCF) on behalf of the decentralized Optio community.” That sentence alone raises a glaring contradiction. If Optio were truly a decentralized, community-run DAO, then why is a centralized foundation managing its platform, disclaiming responsibility for all external content, and fielding support emails through a corporate-sounding address?

This kind of setup mirrors classic scam structures: create the illusion of decentralized autonomy, while a centralized group pulls the strings behind the curtain. The so-called DAO exists in name only — a PR move designed to evade regulation and accountability.

There is no named leadership team, no verified founders, and no transparent corporate structure. They hide behind the vague “Optio Consortia Foundation” and a thin LLC registration in Wyoming — a state infamous for crypto-friendly but regulation-light entity creation. Optio is structured for deniability, not transparency.

Final Verdict: Steer Clear of Optio

Optio is not a decentralized revolution. It’s a familiar scam playbook recycled for the Web3 age. It’s selling expensive licenses with promises of token rewards, encouraging recruitment under the guise of community, and backing it all with unverifiable apps, fake utility, and circular logic. If you’re a mum or dad investor being pitched this scheme by a friend, influencer, or Telegram group — run the other way.

Optio isn’t giving you freedom. It’s giving you false hope with a countdown timer attached.

If you’ve already put money into Optio, document everything. Take screenshots, save email trails, and warn others. If you’re an Optio ambassador who now realizes the truth, you can still walk away before the collapse takes others with you.

My name is Danny de Hek, aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, and this has been another deep dive to protect everyday investors from getting fleeced by the bottom-feeders of the MLM crypto world.

Stay vigilant. Stay skeptical. And always follow the money — not the marketing.

ZOOM attendees

Nick Sorensen, Matt Ward, Jan Cleary, Denise Lizun, Deborah Davis, Kim Ames, Alex Hunt, Doug & Christy Brown, Mikeal Byrd, Craig Childs, Dale Baeten, Aaron Whittier, Donna Raney, Greg Erickson, Ed Ewell, Bryan Rew, Michael Alexander, Willie Wingfield, Angie Stafford, Jeff Young, Doug Wilkinson, Joseph Baggs, Chase Barfield, Joni North, Kathie Stuhlbarg, Michael Storbeck, Carolyn Jamison, Linda Marquez, Renna Voegerl, Jessica White, Paul Melgoza, Rick Hofer, Lori Chun, Paula Underwood, Sheryl Hensel, Chandler S. Tullis, Cathy McKown, Patricia Souder, Dale Jackson, Pansy Sanford, Karan Nelson, William Johnston, Brian Lathe, Shawn Byrne, Judy Leone, Bill Wallace

Amendment: Full Conversation With Anonymous Optio Supporter

As part of our commitment to transparency — and in preparation for Optio’s claimed future listing on the NYSE — we are publishing the entire email exchange with an anonymous supporter of Optio who reached out from the email address doitrightthefirsttime7@gmail.com, identifying only as:

“Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time”

Below is the complete conversation, in full chronological order, with timestamps included. Messages from the anonymous supporter are labeled “Them,” while my replies appear as “Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger.”

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 25 Jun 2025, 11:43 AM

Hi Danny,
I read your article about Optio. I totally like what you’re doing. Calling out scams is very important, it saves people from losing money and sometimes, losing friends and family over it. I used to do the same thing after I did a deep dive on Amway and worldwide dreambuilders. And got scammed by a crypto Ponzi scheme in the past. So I think you’re doing the right thing, people surely need help, but you’re wrong about Optio.

I know who the owners are, and talk to them regularly. They’re all very transparent with everyone and available at all times. I’m texting one of them as I’m writing this email to you. The data you presented on your site is incorrect, and missing a lot of important connecting data. The two guys in the zoom meetings are just node owners. They started doing zoom meetings way after nodes were for sale, because so many were having a hard time explaining things to their network.

The utility that’s underway is all patented. I’m surprised you haven’t investigated it more. They have made very public purchases of technology, with hundreds of patents on their long list of assets. Running nodes isn’t new to crypto. You are right there there are hundreds of scams out there, but this isn’t one of them. Their tech stack was just appraised at 1.2 Billion dollars- pre revenue. I personally receive distributions daily, and I have already traded Optio for USDT, and withdrew it for USD. The Kyvo wallet actually works incredibly well, the hosting is for the nodes. They’re actually live. And I’m in contract with an international AI company that will be using their CDN and severs to run live stream AI security software.

Danny, respectfully- I truly like what you do. It’s needed. But you’re very wrong on this one, my friend.

Do some more research man. I think you’re probably better than this.

Thank you for your time.
Be blessed.

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 25 Jun 2025, 3:07 PM

Hello?

Thanks for clarifying — but I’m quite familiar with confirmation bias. It’s exactly why I rely on objective documentation rather than anecdotes, emotional testimonials, or private messages with unnamed “owners.”

Everything I wrote in the Optio exposé comes directly from Optio’s own white paper, sales deck, terms, and website copy. If those materials reveal a structure that walks and talks like a Ponzi — node buy-ins, token payouts, and referral-based commissions — then it’s not bias. It’s pattern recognition based on real-world collapses from similar models like StrongBlock, HyperVerse, and GSPartners.

If you have verifiable counter-evidence — not just internal claims, but public documentation — I’m happy to review it. Otherwise, writing off a deeply researched exposé as “confirmation bias” while offering no audit, no team transparency, and no regulatory clarity only confirms the concern.

Best regards,
Danny

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 25 Jun 2025, 3:18 PM

Conformation bias* is what I meant. I truly believe you have confirmation bias.

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 25 Jun 2025, 3:25 PM

Hello?

Yes — confirmation bias is real, and it’s something I take seriously. But let’s be honest — if confirmation bias were driving my work, I’d be ignoring new evidence instead of actively reviewing white papers, pitch decks, Zoom meetings, legal disclaimers, and blockchain mechanics.

It’s not bias to call out a structure that matches the exact behavior of dozens of collapsed scams. That’s just due diligence.

Happy to be wrong if I ever see audited proof, SEC-compliant filings, and full leadership transparency.

Until then, the red flags are clear.

Cheers,
Danny

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 26 Jun 2025, 7:46 AM

Good morning,

I watched your YouTube video of the Zoom call, and saw that you were looking at the links in real time. I read your blog post about it too. That tells me you didn’t look into it enough to discover all of the facts. The information you presented on the blog also demonstrates your lack of deep research into Optio and Pulse.

As I said before, I applaud what you’re doing. It’s needed. Too many people get stuck in scams and literally need to be rescued.

With Matt and Nick, I’ve personally never liked their presentation. They do come across hype(ish), I’m not a fan of the way they present things.

But when I look at your page, your blog about Optio lacks significant information. Right now you’re standing behind your position on it, which I understand given the lack of data you have. But a simple search online allows you to find more information. Click on this link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/parler-acquires-edgio-content-delivery-network-edgecast/ar-AA1yM5Sg

That’s just 1 of the technologies and assets the company owns. It’s a global CDN which has 25 warehouses in 7 different countries. As I stated before, I’m working with an AI company and we’ve had several talks with Edgecast about integrating technology to offer AI security protocol to multiple corporations, schools, and governments. It’s revenue driven, owned by Pulse, which is in conjunction with the Optio blockchain. They’ll be offering incentives in savings for companies who decide to use Optio as payment. These corporations are brands we all use on a daily basis, who are currently delivering content online to millions across the globe, daily; and data resources for warehouse brands located throughout the US and Europe.
Here’s another article about Edgecast and Triton, formerly Samsung Cloud, which is now also owned by pulse.
https://www.streamingmediablog.com/2025/03/pulse-edgecast-cloud.html

Pulse is a corporation. It is going public. That’s the reason they have to keep their acquisitions, and contracts confidential for now. During this process, they need to keep contracts, ownership details, financial data, tech stack details out of the public eye, as this data can be exploited by competitors or have a negative impact on the overall IPO process if prematurely released. That’s the reason they aren’t publicly announcing the owners right now. Their valuation of 1.2 Billion they were given was calculated by the organization who is managing the IPO. It’s not a frivolous number. It’ll all be public when the IPO is launched.

There owners- as I said before, they are easily available to all node owners as we speak, and we all know who they are. We’ve all been watching the growth of this since two of the partners bought parler. Then they joined with another partner and completed the blockchain portion.

I’ve read your material, I just don’t think it’s well researched with Optio. I see how you’ve assessed some patterns, and with those patterns you’ve concluded a scam is happening. But to me, what I see is conformational bias happening. This is what you do, you need more scams to blast, so you find a string of patterns and use chat gpt to scavenge for clues, then you post.

But what you’re actually doing with Optio, is incorrect. It’s far from a scam. I know you’ll probably read this and think I’m just that embedded into it so I can’t see the signs, you might even accuse me of having conformational bias. But- keep a watchful eye in the press with this one. We’ve even been presented on Fox Business already. This is a legit project. When the nodes are no longer being sold, the whole Matt and Nick thing will end. And what’ll be left is Pulse.

Respectfully,

The deceived.

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 26 Jun 2025, 9:51 AM

Hello?

Thanks again for your detailed response. The problem isn’t a lack of information — it’s a lack of verifiable, independent, and transparent evidence. Press releases and vague IP ownership claims don’t negate the MLM-style structure Optio is operating right now.

You’re welcome to believe in its future. But my job is to protect people from what’s actually happening today — and today, Optio is selling expensive node licenses, offering token rewards, and relying heavily on recruitment. That’s not innovation. That’s a classic Ponzi playbook.

All the best,
Danny

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 27 Jun 2025, 6:05 AM

When they’re officially public on the NYSE, and all can be disclosed, I’ll expect you to take your stuff down.
Also, please remove the names of the attendees. No one gave you permission to use their names or likeness on your website.

Regard,
The deceived

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 27 Jun 2025, 9:34 AM

Hello?

Let me save you some time: your names are never coming off the internet.

You chose to publicly promote Optio in Zoom meetings and defend it over email — and that is now documented. My website is protected by Google Project Shield, meaning baseless takedown threats and defamation pressure will not work.

If Optio ever legitimately gets listed on the NYSE, I’ll be right here — updating the blog with facts. But until then, the pattern remains the same, and the warnings stay live. I will also be publishing our entire conversation as an official amendment to the blog, so readers can judge both sides for themselves.

You’ve had your say. Now it’s on the record.

Best regards,
Danny

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 27 Jun 2025, 10:38 AM

I love how little you know, yet how confident you are.

That’s ok, David. When the tech hits the NYSE, and you hear more and more about it in the media, you’re a decent person, I know you’ll do the right thing. I know you’re decent because you spend your time doing this, and that takes a good heart.

I’m not sure what you’re referring to about the bullying stuff. I’ve only connected to you through this email.

Well, I guess time will reveal the truth about it. Right? In the meantime, I hope you continue protecting others from real scams. It’s much needed!

Kindly Regards,

The [not so] deceived.

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 27 Jun 2025, 2:05 PM

Hello?

Thanks for your message — and you’re right, I do care. That’s why we’ll be updating the blog in 30 mins with this full conversation, including all claims, all rebuttals, and every timestamped detail.

That way, if and when Optio goes public, there’ll be no confusion about how it was being promoted in 2025 — and who stood behind it.

Stay tuned.

Best regards,
Danny

Do _ i t _ right _ the _ first _ time – 28 Jun 2025, 9:12 AM

I don’t really give you permission to share this exchange, but I know you probably will. So, a message to your audience:

I’ll encourage anyone who sees this, to do their research on anything they ever get involved in, including Optio. There are an innumerable amount of scams out there that will only take advantage of the vulnerable. So don’t get into anything that promises the sky and doesn’t back it up.

Optio is not a scam. There are some documents that are currently undisclosed to the masses, but it’s still a young project. The project is in full compliance with the SEC, FTC, and every other legal regulatory entity they need to be. Time will surely tell the truth. But this goes far beyond buying nodes. In fact, anyone can earn free Optio tokens, currently paired with USDT, by using the Parler, Parler PlayTV, and Parler Bursts apps I’ll leave instructions below.

I want to thank Danny for the early exposure. Unsolicited marketing through haters and mockery is usually welcome.

The team and all of us node owner’s are full steam ahead, and excited to make Parler, and the Pulse ecosystem available to all. And by the way, Parler is free to download, no node purchase is necessary. Go to your app store and download Parler. (Pay attention to the spelling) Set up your profile. In the top right menu, select the “See More” drop down, and go in and create a Kyvo wallet with the same email address. You’ll earn free Optio tokens just for engaging on the app, again, no purchase required at all. Post what you want. If you do a little research, you’ll be able to find out where you can sell your earned tokens, or you can directly ask the Parler Community, and someone will help you. Optio is in two exchanges right now, soon to be on many, many more, including a DEX.

Just download the Parler app, then go into the menu and create a Kyvo wallet. All free. No node purchases necessary.

Be blessed, and be careful.

Kindly,
The [not so] deceived.

Danny de Hek aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger – 28 Jun 2025, 11:20 AM

Hello?

You’re absolutely right — I will be publishing this exchange. Because I don’t need your permission to document a conversation you initiated, especially when it relates to a public-facing financial opportunity involving mass recruitment and crypto speculation.

I don’t answer to anonymous defenders of MLM-style blockchain projects. I answer to mum and dad investors — the ones who are usually left holding the bag.

Your statement has been added to the blog in full, exactly as you submitted it. If this turns out to be the “early exposure” that helps people avoid a financial loss, then I’ve done my job.

Be careful who you align with. Because once the dominos fall — and they always do — everything you said will still be here, permanently.

All the best,
Danny

This amendment is now part of the permanent record. If Optio ever does launch on the NYSE, readers will have full context of how it was being defended — and by whom — in 2025.

Stay vigilant.

— Danny de Hek

About the Author

Danny de Hek, also known as The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, is a New Zealand-based investigative journalist specializing in exposing crypto fraud, Ponzi schemes, and MLM scams. His work has been featured by Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Guardian Australia, ABC News Australia, and other international outlets.

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