18.06.2025 07:46
Iran's leading cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, suffered a significant security breach, resulting in the theft of approximately $48.65 million in cryptocurrency. The incident, which involved unauthorized access to the exchange's hot wallet and notification systems, prompted an immediate suspension of all services. This was confirmed by Nobitex in an official statement released on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025.
According to on-chain investigator ZachXBT, suspicious transactions originating from multiple Nobitex-associated wallets revealed a substantial outflow of funds on the Tron network. ZachXBT's analysis, detailed on Telegram, meticulously tracked these swift transfers to presently unidentified recipients, solidifying the estimate of the nearly $49 million loss. The exchange, while temporarily halting operations to conduct a thorough internal investigation, assured users that their cold storage funds remained unaffected and that all losses would be fully reimbursed using the exchange's insurance fund and internal resources.
Following the breach, the hacking group Gonjeshke Darande (Predatory Sparrow) claimed responsibility for the exploit via a Twitter announcement. Their statement included a chilling threat to release Nobitex's source code and internal network information within 24 hours, further jeopardizing any remaining assets on the platform. This brazen act highlighted the significant risk associated with operating within the Iranian cryptocurrency ecosystem.
This incident represents one of the largest publicly reported exploits targeting Iranian cryptocurrency platforms. The attack significantly impacts the already precarious digital asset infrastructure within the region, adding another layer of complexity to the existing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Given Nobitex's prominent role, handling a substantial portion of Iran's cryptocurrency trading volume, the implications of this breach are far-reaching and highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities within the country's cryptocurrency sector. Prior scrutiny of Nobitex further underscores the need for enhanced security protocols and increased regulatory oversight. The incident serves as a stark warning regarding the risks inherent in the volatile world of cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly in regions facing considerable political and economic instability.
