The Path of Exile community is still processing one of the biggest dramas in the game’s recent history. On March 26th, Grinding Gear Games permanently banned the account of JeNebu, the founder and longtime owner of The Forbidden Treasure Trove better known simply as TFT. For years, JeNebu was considered the wealthiest and most influential player in the game, sitting on an enormous collection of mirror-tier items and alternate arts reportedly worth tens of thousands of mirrors.
The ban came without warning and was upheld after an appeal that lasted just 17 minutes. In a lengthy public statement posted on April 1st, JeNebu addressed the community directly, describing the moment as one that left him in shock after eight years of building both his personal empire and the TFT server.
The Rise of TFT and JeNebu’s Role
TFT began as a passion project around 2019. At the time, Path of Exile’s official trading tools were far more limited, and players frequently fell victim to scams in public trade channels. JeNebu created the Discord server as a safer, more structured hub for bulk trading, crafting services, boss carries, and high-end item sales. Over time it grew into one of the largest third-party communities in the game, boasting hundreds of thousands of members and becoming the go-to place for the rarest and most valuable transactions.
JeNebu himself became synonymous with the server. He ran a high-profile shop, collected vast quantities of premium items, and was deeply involved in management. In his statement he acknowledged past controversies, including accusations of power tripping and overly strict bans. He admitted to mistakes but insisted his core passion for the game and for improving the trading experience was genuine.
“I took it as a project of passion to build, on top of passion I had for crafting and basically having the best items in the game,” he wrote. “Did I take it too far? Absolutely.” which means he basically admits to breaking rules and cheating.
The Ban and Immediate Fallout
When the ban hit, it not only removed JeNebu’s personal account but also threatened the stability of the entire TFT ecosystem. Many high-value items and services relied on his presence. In the days that followed, internal tensions boiled over. According to JeNebu, former management urged him to issue a public apology, improve his image, and pursue a later appeal. He agreed and posted a sincere apology addressing past bans and behavior.
However, he ultimately decided against continuing the fight. The prospect of waiting weeks or months for a potential reversal felt untenable. “I preferred to be put out of my misery,” he explained.
When he refused to transfer full server ownership to the old management team, the situation escalated. JeNebu claimed they threatened to release damaging information with what he referred to as “the jenebu files.” He told them to proceed. In response, the group began spamming channels and pinging members. JeNebu responded by stripping roles and deleting channels to regain control. The former managers also posted their side of the story on Reddit.
Rather than letting the server die, JeNebu has chosen to hand it over to the community. In his April 1 message he made it clear the server is not shutting down permanently. He is actively looking for well-respected community figures such as Reddit moderators or streamers to take over management.
Key changes are already planned:
- All previous bans will be revoked.
- The server will restart from scratch with fresh rules.
- Moderation will shift to a more community-supportive model instead of strict, unforgiving enforcement.
- Services are expected to return to normal after a short transition period.
JeNebu emphasized that he will not be involved in day-to-day management. He wants someone “overwhelmingly liked by the community” to lead going forward. His DMs remain open to serious inquiries from potential new leaders.
The timing added an extra layer of irony. The dramatic developments unfolded on April 1, a date JeNebu himself noted in his post.
TFT has long been a polarizing presence in Path of Exile. For many players it provided essential services that official tools still do not fully replicate, especially for high-end crafting and bulk trading. For others it represented the risks of relying on third-party platforms run by a single influential figure. Or even rampant Real World Trading and rule breaking.
The ban and subsequent drama have reignited broader conversations about account security, trading practices, and the role of community-run servers in a game that has steadily improved its own trading systems in recent years.
Grinding Gear Games has not issued a public comment beyond the ban itself. Whether JeNebu’s account will ever be restored remains unknown, and he has stated he is no longer pursuing it.
For now, the future of TFT rests in the hands of the community. JeNebu has made it clear he still loves Path of Exile and hopes the server can become “the server PoE deserves” under new leadership. However we will see if that actually happens.
One thing is certain: Crime and rule breaking never pays. The ban of one of the game’s most recognizable figures has left a significant mark on the Path of Exile economy and social landscape, and the full ripple effects are only just beginning to unfold. Remember kids, just don't cheat it really is that simple.