Crypto Chaos: The $90 Million Hack That Shook Iran

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Dear reader, gather ’round and permit me to regale you with the tale of Nobitex, the Iranian crypto exchange that found itself at the center of a most thrilling and geopolitically charged breach. 🤯

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Nobitex breach marks new chapter in cyber risk 📚

In the wee hours of June 18, Nobitex, Iran’s largest crypto exchange, suffered a coordinated cyberattack that left the country’s digital asset landscape reeling. 💥

The incident, confirmed by Nobitex’s technical team, involved the compromise of multiple hot wallets, affecting a wide range of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. 🐕

Estimates of the stolen funds vary, but TRM Labs, Chainalysis, and Elliptic each placed the losses near $90 million. 💸

Official Statement
Nobitex Security Incident — June 18, 2025

Earlier today, June 18, Nobitex identified unauthorized access to parts of its infrastructure… 📝

— Nobitex | نوبیتکس (@nobitexmarket) June 18, 2025

Cyvers researcher Hakan Unal noted that the breach stemmed from a failure in segregating wallet credentials. 🔒

However, unlike typical crypto hacks, the Nobitex case showed a different intent. The stolen crypto was transferred to vanity addresses with politically charged labels, rendering the funds effectively “burned.” 🔥

Shortly after the incident, the pro-Israel hacker group Gonjeshke Darande claimed responsibility via a post on X. 📣

After the IRGC’s “Bank Sepah” comes the turn of Nobitex
WARNING!

In 24 hours, we will release Nobitex’s source code and internal information… 🕰️

— Gonjeshke Darande (@GonjeshkeDarand) June 18, 2025

New crypto curfew reflects crisis mood 🕰️

Following the Nobitex breach, Iranian authorities moved swiftly to tighten oversight of the country’s digital asset infrastructure. 🔒

On June 19, the Central Bank of Iran imposed a curfew limiting operating hours for all domestic crypto exchanges. 🕰️

Analysts at Chainalysis noted that the curfew may also be intended to limit capital flight and increase financial surveillance during the crisis. 📊

Blockchain forensics reveal troubling patterns 🔍

Nobitex has emerged as a critical financial gateway for Iranians, with over 7 million registered users. 🌟

However, blockchain analytics firms have traced the platform’s activity to individuals and groups under U.S. sanctions. 🚫

Further blockchain analysis has linked wallets on Nobitex to groups such as Hamas and al-Qaeda-affiliated content. 🤯

Is Iran going to attack the U.S.? 🤔

As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, prediction markets have seen a rise in activity focused on conflict-related outcomes. 📊

One of the most active markets centers on the possibility of U.S. military action against Iran before July. 🕰️

Experts chime in 💬

crypto.news spoke with Yehor Rudytsia and Oleksii Haponiuk from Hacken to explore how the Nobitex breach challenges traditional assumptions about crypto hacks. 💬

According to Rudytsia, the incident represents a monumental change in how threats to exchanges should be interpreted. 🔒

“Web3 projects, especially centralized exchanges, are no longer just targets for financial theft. They can also become instruments for politically motivated cyberattacks… 💥

And so, dear reader, the tale of Nobitex serves as a reminder that in the world of crypto, the lines between finance and politics are increasingly blurred. 🌐

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2025-06-20 20:16