On May 15, 2025, Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, stunned the market by revealing a cyberattack that could cost up to $400 million. Hackers bribed customer service reps to steal data from less than 1% of its 100 million users, demanding a $20 million ransom, which Coinbase refused. Instead, the exchange is offering a $20 million bounty for leads on the culprits and faces a lawsuit in New York for failing to secure user data Bitcoin, questioning the safety of crypto platforms as Bitcoin holds steady at $105,000.
What happened? The hackers used stolen data to impersonate Coinbase, tricking users into handing over crypto. This breach, detailed in a regulatory filing, exposes vulnerabilities in even the most trusted exchanges, especially after Coinbase’s recent S&P 500 inclusion. The incident could dent investor confidence, particularly as the SEC probes Coinbase’s user metrics.
The fallout may ripple across crypto. Tighter security measures could raise costs for exchanges, while users might flock to decentralized platforms. For beginners, this is a wake-up call: crypto’s rewards come with risks, and choosing secure platforms is crucial. Coinbase’s cooperation with law enforcement aims to restore trust, but the damage is done.
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NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.
NOTICE:
The information provided on trafy.io does not constitute investment advice or recommendations. All investment and trading activities involve risks, and readers are advised to conduct their own research before making decisions.