Videos circulating during the UN General Assembly falsely depict Bill Gates endorsing a cryptocurrency called World Water Reserve. Reverse image searches link the footage to a Feb. 4, 2025 NBC "Today" interview that discussed Gates's philanthropy and HIV work, not water or crypto. The United Nations headline shown in the reel was fabricated; Coinbase lists WWR and USWR as "unreviewed" assets, and the domain wwr.global was created on Aug. 6. Experts warn these influencer-driven deepfakes pose high financial risk.
Deepfake Alert: Bill Gates Did Not Endorse ‘World Water Reserve’ Crypto Ahead Of UNGA
Screenshot of a Facebook reel taken on September 23, 2026
Social media posts circulating during the United Nations General Assembly falsely show Bill Gates endorsing a cryptocurrency token called World Water Reserve. The videos combine altered footage, a fabricated United Nations article headline and links to a volatile crypto asset that experts warn could lose value rapidly once public interest fades.
Screenshot of a Facebook reel taken on September 23, 2026
What the Posts Claim
In a Facebook reel first shared as a September 7 clip and screenshotted on September 23, 2026, a narrator asserts: "Bill Gates just issued a warning you must listen to." The clip appears to show Gates saying: "Billions will die from water shortages and I own rights to more water than any nation on Earth. I am committing it to the World Water Reserve at wwr.global. So, those who get in will be protected, but also very wealthy." The same reel displays an alleged United Nations article headlined: "World Water Reserve Goes Into Effect September 28 During UN General Assembly."
A screenshot of a Facebook reel taken on September 23, 2026, with elements highlighted by AFP
What Verification Found
Fact-checkers traced the footage to an authentic February 4, 2025 NBC "Today" interview with anchor Savannah Guthrie. The original interview — from which the altered clip borrows Gates's appearance, clothing and backdrop — discussed Gates's foundation work and HIV treatments, not water scarcity or cryptocurrencies.
A screenshot taken on September 23, 2026 of an interview posted on NBC News "Today" show YouTube channel, with elements highlighted by AFP
Archive checks and a UN News search found no article matching the screenshot headline shown in the reel. The URL visible in the clip points to a genuine UN News page about water shortages, but the headline and content were manipulated in the screenshot.
A screenshot of a UN News article taken on September 23, 2026
Crypto Listing And Domain Details
Major exchange Coinbase lists World Water Reserve Price (WWR) and United States Water Reserve Price (USWR) as "unreviewed" assets, meaning they have not completed the platform's legal and technical compliance checks. A WHOIS lookup shows the domain wwr.global was registered on August 6.
Official Responses And Warnings
AFP previously investigated claims about Gates's land and water holdings; a Gates Ventures spokesperson told AFP on September 22, 2026, that assertions he owns the majority of U.S. water are "false." Experts and fact-checkers have repeatedly warned that influencer videos and deepfakes are being used to hype speculative cryptocurrencies by tying them to trending events.
How To Protect Yourself
Verify sources: Check original interviews and official UN releases before trusting screenshots or clips. Be cautious: "Unreviewed" crypto listings carry additional risk. Report: Flag manipulated media on the platform where you found it.
These manipulated posts are part of a broader trend of deceptive media and promotional tactics targeting investors by exploiting major news events like the UN General Assembly and Climate Week.
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