Hackers tries to bribe Binance employees
Hackers bribe Binance and Kraken insiders after Coinbase data leak triggers global alarm
Hackers recently targeted Binance and Kraken with insider bribery schemes similar to the one that breached Coinbase.
Binance staff received offers over Telegram to leak customer data, but AI tools flagged the attempts, reports Cryptopolitan.
Only vetted employees have access to sensitive info during support calls. The AI system detects bribery-related keywords in multiple languages and halts suspicious chats immediately. Binance also reportedly reinforced its internal audit mechanisms following the incident. Kraken’s internal team likewise strengthened oversight, though neither exchange has made a public statement.
Coinbase breach led to extortion threats
At Coinbase, some support staff were bribed and leaked sensitive user data. Hackers demanded $20 million in exchange for deleting the information. The breach reportedly included names, addresses, banking info, and IDs.
The attackers used the stolen data to impersonate users and potentially compromise external accounts. Experts warn the scale of the breach could lead to targeted phishing, fraud, and physical security risks. Coinbase has not confirmed whether law enforcement has made any arrests related to the incident.
DOJ indicts 12 in international crypto theft ring
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 12 individuals with laundering over $263 million in stolen crypto. The group used mixers, fake wallets, and VPNs to hide their activity. They spent the funds on private jets, real estate, and exotic cars.
Among the accused, Malone Lam was linked to two of 2024’s largest crypto heists. Another member, Marlon Ferro, allegedly broke into a victim’s home to steal a hardware wallet. The DOJ says the group’s operations spanned multiple countries and included money mule networks and encrypted communications.
Recently we wrote that Coinbase, the world's third largest cryptocurrency exchange, has refused to pay a $20 million ransom after a small group of cryptoscammers, along with outside customer support contractors, disclosed sensitive user data.
