Social network X has revised its API usage policy for third-party developers, restricting apps that rewarded users for posting. This was announced by the platform's product head, Nikita Bier.
We are revising our developer API policies:
— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) January 15, 2026
We will no longer allow apps that reward users for posting on X (aka “infofi”). This has led to a tremendous amount of AI slop & reply spam on the platform.
We have revoked API access from these apps, so your X experience should…
This segment of projects, primarily in cryptocurrency, is referred to as InfoFi. According to Bier, its popularity has resulted in a proliferation of "a tremendous amount of AI slop and reply spam" on X.
“We have revoked API access from these apps, so your experience on the social network should improve soon (once the bots realize they are no longer being paid),” he added.
Following the announcement, the native token of one of the most popular InfoFi platforms, Kaito (KAITO), plummeted nearly 20% from $0.70 to $0.55.
15-minute chart of KAITO/USDT on Binance. Source: TradingView.
The project utilizes AI to analyze on-chain data and social media sentiment. Additionally, Kaito offered users the ability to earn points (Yaps) for posting about cryptocurrencies on X. These points could be converted into KAITO tokens.
The revocation of API access has rendered this feature worthless.
Kaito's founder, Yu Hu, announced that the platform will discontinue Yaps and other related solutions. Instead, they will launch a new marketing initiative called Kaito Studio.
A representative of the project also acknowledged the issue of spam and bots:
“After discussions with X, it was agreed that a fully decentralized content distribution system is no longer viable and does not meet the needs of high-quality brands, serious content creators, or the X platform itself.”
Recall that in January, Bier announced the launch of "smart tickers" displaying cryptocurrency and stock prices on X.