**Viral News Snippet:**
**🚨 BREAKING: Ken Paxton Announces "Crypto-Friendly" Court System for Texas Residents – But Is It Legal?**
**The Claim:** A viral post circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram claims that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a surprise press conference, has officially launched the "Lone Star Digital Sovereignty Court"—a private, blockchain-based arbitration system that will allow Texans to settle civil disputes using cryptocurrency as legal tender, bypassing traditional state courts.
**The Reality:**
✅ **FALSE.** This is a fabricated story. There is no such court. The Texas Attorney General’s office has confirmed to multiple news outlets that no official announcement has been made regarding any blockchain-based court system. The video cited in the post is a deepfake using AI-generated audio of Paxton's voice, spliced from old footage of a 2023 press conference about election integrity. The "court" website linked in the post is a phishing scam designed to steal crypto wallet credentials.
**Why It's Spreading:** Bad actors are exploiting Paxton's well-documented, pro-crypto stance (he previously filed amicus briefs supporting crypto mining rights) and his recent legal battles (impeachment, SEC investigations) to create a believable but fake narrative. The post is designed to lure crypto enthusiasts into trusting a fraudulent system.
**Bottom Line:** Do not click any links. Texas courts are not holding crypto-based hearings. Verify all official announcements through the Texas Attorney General’s official website or @KenPaxtonTX on verified social media. 🛑