TL;DR
Users of Betterment received an in-app (and in some cases email) message urging them to send $10,000 in Bitcoin or Ethereum to specified addresses with a promise to 'triple' deposits. Betterment says the message was unauthorized, sent through a third-party communications system, and that the offer is not real.
What happened
On Friday some Betterment customers reported receiving a dubious promotional message that urged recipients to deposit $10,000 in Bitcoin or Ethereum to specific wallet addresses, with a claim the company would return three times the amount. The notice — shared in a Reddit thread with a screenshot — framed the offer as a limited-time promotion tied to Betterment’s ‘best-performing year,’ and included an example promising $30,000 in return for a $10,000 deposit and listed crypto addresses for sending funds. Others reported seeing similar content via email. Betterment posted on X that the communication was unauthorized and originated from a third-party system it uses for marketing and customer messages. The firm told users the offer was not legitimate and advised recipients to disregard the message, offering an apology for the confusion.
Why it matters
- Fraudulent or spoofed communications can prompt users to transfer real funds, creating immediate financial risk.
- Messages sent through external marketing systems can expose firms to reputational damage if those channels are compromised.
- Clear, timely corrective messaging from a financial services provider is important to limit customer harm and confusion.
- Incidents like this highlight the need for scrutiny around third-party vendors handling customer outreach.
Key facts
- Recipients received a message claiming Betterment would 'triple' Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits for a short window.
- The notification used a $10,000 example, saying a $10,000 deposit would be returned as $30,000.
- Screenshots of the message were posted in a Reddit thread; some people reported getting similar emails.
- Betterment said the message was unauthorized and was sent via a third-party system used for marketing and customer communications.
- The company instructed users to disregard the offer and apologized for the confusion.
- The Verge reported the incident on Jan. 10, 2026, with initial coverage citing social posts and Betterment’s response.
What to watch next
- Whether Betterment identifies the third-party vendor or details how the unauthorized message was sent — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether any customers actually sent funds in response to the message and if losses occurred — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Betterment will disclose steps it will take to prevent similar incidents with external communication systems — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Third-party system: A service or platform operated by an external vendor that a company uses for tasks such as marketing, notifications, or customer communication.
- Crypto wallet address: A string of characters used to receive cryptocurrency; sending funds to an address typically cannot be reversed.
- Phishing/scam message: A deceptive communication designed to trick recipients into revealing information or transferring funds to attackers.
- In-app notification: A message delivered to a user inside a mobile or web application interface, often used for updates or promotions.
Reader FAQ
Did Betterment send the crypto promotion?
Betterment says the promotion was unauthorized and sent via a third-party system it uses for communications.
Were users asked to send $10,000 in crypto?
The message used a $10,000 example, instructing recipients to send Bitcoin or Ethereum to listed addresses with a promise to 'triple' the deposit.
Did anyone lose money because of this message?
Not confirmed in the source.
Has Betterment named the vendor responsible for the message?
Not confirmed in the source.
NEWS TECH CRYPTO Betterment’s financial app sends customers a $10,000 crypto scam message The sketchy notification promised users Betterment would ‘triple your crypto.’ by Jay Peters Jan 10, 2026, 1:14…
Sources
- Betterment’s financial app sends customers a $10,000 crypto scam message
- Cryptocurrency scam: Job seekers lose thousands of …
- Crypto Scam Tracker – DFPI – CA.gov
- What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams
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