Pro-Israel hackers nab $90 million from Iranian crypto exchange - then burn it all in symbolic blockchain move
An Israeli operatives-linked hacking group known as
Predatory Sparrow
, also known as
Gonjeshke Darande
, claimed that it stole over $90 million from Iran's largest crypto exchange,
Nobitex
, only to destroy the money instead of keeping it, so as to send a political message, as per a report.
Israeli-Linked Hackers Strike Iranian Crypto Exchange
The attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, and the hackers made their motives clear as the group posted on social media platform X, 'These cyberattacks are the result of Nobitex being a key regime tool for financing terrorism and violating sanctions,' quoted Fortune.
Hackers didn't keep a single cent
Crypto analytics firm Elliptic revealed that instead of cashing out the $90 million of Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and over 100 different cryptocurrencies that Predatory Sparrow raided, the hacking group chose just to destroy, 'burn' in crypto parlance, the funds, as they wanted to send a political message, according to the report.
ALSO READ:
Circle stock soars again as Senate passes groundbreaking Stablecoin Bill, analysts say it's still a Buy
Why the Hack Was Meant to Send a Message
As per Fortune, the blockchain addresses, or locations in a database that record how much money someone has, are usually randomly generated, which usually consist of a garbled string of numbers and letters. However, for this operation, Predatory Sparrow sent the hacked funds to addresses that included the phrase 'F***iRGCTerrorists,' where IRGC refers to the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
, a branch of the Iranian army, reported Fortune.
Live Events
The lead crypto threat researcher at Elliptic, Arda Akartuna, explained that 'To generate addresses with so many specific terms inside it would require so much computing power that you're not going to do it within any reasonable lifetime,' as quoted in the report. Akartuna pointed out that, 'So, it seems to have been more of a symbolic hack, as opposed to one where the intention is financial,' quoted Fortune.
Nobitex responds
While, Nobitex wrote on its X account after the hack, saying, 'The vast majority of assets are stored in cold wallets and were not impacted,' as quoted in the report.
FAQs
Who carried out the hack on Nobitex?
A group called Predatory Sparrow, believed to be linked to Israeli intelligence, claimed responsibility.
What did the hackers do with the money?
They destroyed it as they 'burned' the funds, instead of profiting from the theft.
Economic Times WhatsApp channel
)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
How Qatar thwarted Iran's attack on US base; 300 troops scrambled – missiles lit up Doha sky
Qatar successfully intercepted a wave of Iranian missiles aimed at the US military's Al Udeid Air Base, in what officials described as a swift and coordinated defensive operation that averted catastrophe. The attack came in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and marked a critical flashpoint in the widening Israel-Iran conflict. Despite the scale of the attack, no casualties were reported, and damage was minimal, thanks to a rapid response by Qatari and US forces. President Donald Trump later described the Iranian strike as a 'very weak response,' while Qatar condemned it as a 'flagrant violation' of its sovereignty. Qatari-led response averts major damage According to CNN , Qatari officials were first alerted around 7pm local time when their military detected Iranian missiles airborne and heading toward Al Udeid, a key regional hub for US air operations. Brigadier General Jassim Al-Ansari, speaking to the network, said the response was 'Qatari-led,' even though it was closely coordinated with US forces. Within minutes, 300 Qatari troops were mobilised, and multiple Patriot missile defence systems were activated across two locations. A total of 19 missiles were fired from Iran, according to Qatari sources. Seven were intercepted over the Persian Gulf, and 11 were shot down over the capital, Doha. Only one missile landed in an uninhabited area of the airbase, causing limited damage. President Trump, speaking after the incident, said Iran had fired 14 missiles, 13 of which were intercepted, with one left to land harmlessly as it posed no threat. Despite the discrepancy in numbers, US Central Command confirmed that no personnel were harmed. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi insisted the attack was calibrated not to harm civilians, and on state television, Iran's National Security Council said the strikes posed 'no dangerous aspect to our friendly and brotherly country of Qatar.' Al-Ansari, however, dismissed any suggestion that Qatar had prior knowledge of or permitted the strike. 'We would never put our people in danger for any political outcome,' he told CNN. 'This was a complete surprise.' Tensions erupt over nuclear site bombing The missile barrage followed US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, last Saturday. Satellite images released Sunday showed damage to the underground enrichment site, reportedly hit with precision bunker-buster bombs. Iran later claimed it had removed key nuclear material from targeted locations ahead of time. The attack on Al Udeid was widely viewed as Tehran's attempt to send a message without causing a direct confrontation with Washington. Trump claimed the US had been warned in advance, which allowed it to take precautionary measures. Iran said the number of missiles matched the bombs dropped by the US. Qatar's airspace was shut down for several hours during the attack, disrupting over 100 flights scheduled to land at Hamad International Airport. Commercial operations resumed on Tuesday. The UK and US embassies had earlier advised citizens in Qatar to shelter in place. Ceasefire emerges but tensions persist The fragile ceasefire officially took effect on June 24, following intensive diplomacy mediated by the US and Qatar, with Israel affirming its acceptance of the terms and Iran agreeing to halt operations in synchrony. However, the truce has been shaky: Iran allegedly launched two missiles into northern Israel on the morning of the ceasefire—intercepted by Israeli defenses—prompting immediate Israeli retaliatory strikes on Tehran's military infrastructure. Both sides accuse each other of early violations, with US intelligence indicating Iran's nuclear enrichment program was only set back by months, and not 'obliterated' like Trump had earlier claimed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
UK government condemns 'death to the IDF' chants at Glastonbury
GLASTONBURY: The UK government said on Sunday that the BBC had questions to answer over criticism of Israel by musicians at the Glastonbury festival that police are probing. UK officers are studying videos of rapper Bobby Vylan leading crowds in chants of "Death, death to the IDF", a reference to the acronym for the Israeli army, during his set on Saturday. They are also examining comments by outspoken Irish rap trio Kneecap, one of whose members wore a T-shirt dedicated to Palestine Action Group, which is about to be banned under UK terror laws. The IDF chants, condemned by the Israeli embassy in London, were broadcast on the BBC, which airs coverage of Britain's most popular music festival. "I thought it's appalling, to be honest, and I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens," UK minister Wes Streeting told Sky News. The Israel embassy said in a statement late Saturday "it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival". But Streeting, Labour's health secretary, also took aim at the embassy, telling it to "get your own house in order". "I think there's a serious point there by the Israeli embassy. I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said, citing settler violence in the West Bank. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo A spokesperson for the BBC said some of the comments by Vylan, part of British duo Bob Vylan, were "deeply offensive" and the broadcaster had "no plans to make the performance available on demand". 'A joke' Avon and Somerset police said Saturday that video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation". Kneecap, who have made headlines in recent months with their pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel stance, led crowds in a chant against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer had said the band should not perform after its member Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. He appeared in court earlier this month accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying "Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah" after a video resurfaced of a London concert last year. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK, and it is an offence to express support for them. O'Hanna has denied the charge and told the Guardian in an interview published Friday that "it was a joke -- we're playing characters". Kneecap regularly lead crowds in chants of "Free Palestine" during their concerts. Their fans revere them for their anti-establishment stance and criticism of British imperialism but critics call them extremists. The group apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative lawmakers.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
'Make the deal': Trump calls for peace pact to end Gaza war as signs of progress emerge
TEL AVIV: US President Donald Trump on Sunday pleaded for progress in ceasefire talks in the war in Gaza, calling for a deal that would halt the fighting in the 20-month-long conflict as Israel and Hamas appeared to be inching closer to an agreement. An Israeli official said plans were being made for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to Washington in the coming weeks, a sign there may be movement on a new deal. The official declined to discuss the focus of the visit and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not yet been finalized. 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!' Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social early Sunday between posts about a Senate vote on his tax and spending cuts bill. Trump raised expectations Friday for a deal, saying there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week. Taking questions from reporters, he said, 'We're working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.' Trump has repeatedly called for Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. Despite an eight-week ceasefire reached just as Trump was taking office earlier this year, attempts since then to bring the sides toward a new agreement have failed. A top adviser to Netanyahu, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, was set to travel to Washington this week for talks on a ceasefire.
