Connect with us

Business

Hackers steal $150m worth of crypto tokens on BitMart, amid bitcoin meltdown

Published

on

Bitcoin fails to maintain surge after hitting $50,000 mark

BitMart, a cryptocurrency exchange, has lost $150 million worth of tokens to hackers at a period the cryptocurrency market was struggling to replicate its 2020 Q4 bullish run.

The attack on BitMart crypto wallets has forced the company to halt withdrawals by customers until further notice, a move made to prevent panic sell off on the exchange.

BitMart wallets storing Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain tokens were listed as some of the affected, while other wallets were declared safe by the firm on Monday.

While BitMart stated that $150 million worth of tokens were stolen by the hackers, report had circulated that the value stolen neared $200 million, according to an estimate.

Commenting on the attack, the crypto exchange said, “At this moment we are still concluding the possible methods used,” adding that “We are now conducting a thorough security review and we will post updates as we progress.”

Read also: Cryptocurrency miners hack Google Cloud accounts

The attack further fuels panic in the cryptocurrency community, which has been battling with sell pressure. This has seen major decentralised digital coin recording a downward trend.

Crypto’s most popular asset, bitcoin had experienced a nosedive on Saturday, as it depreciated by 17.64 percent in value within 24hour, knocking its asking price to $42,019 from $57,652.

Although bitcoin now trades around $50,116 (as at the time of filing this report), while its market capitalisation is placed at $946.81 billion, a little above the $896.87 billion on December 4, when it recorded a meltdown.

The BitMart attack was one of many hacks this year. In June, Belt Finance investors had lost about $6.2 million to hackers, following an attack on its Smart Chain tokens.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now