
Iran’s Largest Crypto Exchange Nobitex Loses $81 Million in Pro-Israel Cyberattack
Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, has fallen victim to a massive cyberattack orchestrated by pro-Israel hackers. The devastating breach resulted in the loss of an astonishing $81 million worth of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, XRP, Solana, TRON, and Toncoin.
According to reports, the attackers used vanity wallet addresses without private key access, suggesting they planned to destroy rather than profit from the stolen funds. The hack’s perpetrators are a hacker group called “Gonjeshke Darande,” which claimed responsibility for the attack on social media platforms. The group threatened to release Nobitex’s source code and internal information within 24 hours.
The timing of this attack coincides with escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Notably, the same hacker group targeted Bank Sepah, one of Iran’s largest state-owned banks, earlier this week. The coordinated attacks seem to be politically motivated, aiming to disrupt Iran’s financial infrastructure.
Nobitex officials have assured users that their main funds remain secure in cold storage systems. They also promised to cover all losses using their insurance fund and internal resources. Although a fraction of hot wallet assets were affected by the breach, Nobitex has already taken immediate steps to enhance security measures and prevent future breaches.
Following the hack, Iran’s Central Bank has imposed new restrictions on crypto exchanges, requiring them to operate within specific hours. All domestic cryptocurrency platforms must now function only between 10 AM and 9 PM. This drastic measure aims to increase oversight of digital asset trading activities and ensure stricter regulations are in place.
As a result, Nobitex will need to adapt to these revised operating hours, which may lead to temporary disruptions. The exchange is committed to recovering from the attack and ensuring a safe trading environment for its users.
Iran’s financial institutions have faced numerous cyberattacks in recent years, highlighting the importance of robust security measures and international cooperation to combat digital crime.
It remains to be seen how Nobitex will recover from this massive loss and adapt to the new regulatory requirements. However, it is imperative that all stakeholders prioritize cybersecurity and ensure the integrity of Iran’s financial ecosystem.
The situation has sparked widespread concerns among traders, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures and a comprehensive overhaul of existing infrastructure.
Source: coincentral.com