DYOR (Do Your Own Research)

DYOR is an acronym for "Do Your Own Research," used as disclaimer in crypto communications, promotional content, and investment discussions to remind recipients that they bear responsibility for verifying information and assessing risks before making investment decisions, theoretically protecting speakers from liability for losses.

While DYOR represents sound principle encouraging investor due diligence, the term frequently functions as liability shield in fraudulent schemes, allowing promoters to make misleading claims, omit material risks, or shill scam projects while disclaiming responsibility for losses. Scammers use DYOR to absolve themselves of accountability, framing victims' losses as failure to research rather than acknowledging deceptive marketing, false statements, or intentional fraud.

Red flag contexts include DYOR appearing after unsubstantiated price predictions or guaranteed return claims, DYOR used to deflect requests for documentation or transparency, DYOR disclaimers in paid promotional content without disclosing compensation, DYOR combined with urgency tactics creating time pressure that prevents actual research, and DYOR from project teams when asked about obvious red flags like anonymous founders or unaudited contracts. Legal analysis establishes that DYOR disclaimers do not protect against securities fraud liability when combined with material misrepresentations, omissions of material facts, or violations of registration requirements. Compliance professionals should recognize DYOR as insufficient defense when promotional content contains false statements about partnerships, technology capabilities, regulatory approvals, or market adoption. Regulators and prosecutors analyzing fraud cases consider DYOR disclaimers as evidence of awareness that claims require verification, potentially demonstrating knowledge of deceptive nature rather than providing legal protection.