Blockchain Bandit hackers are back in action after previously stealing $90 million worth of cryptocurrencies, including Ether and Bitcoin, in 2018.
Blockchain thieves have woken up; 51K ETH moved
According to ZachXBT, the Blockchain Bandit attackers have become active again after several years of dormancy and have collected 51,000 ETH ($172.2 million) in a multi-signature address (0xC45C36017b0B7708f493534Ca4f0930964C1D542). https://t.co/lWmVEd2nJv
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 31, 2024
According to cryptocurrency research firm ZachXBT, the attackers consolidated 51,000 ETH (worth approximately $170 million) into a single multi-signature address, 0xC45C36017b0B7708f493534Ca4f0930964C1D542.
Blockchain Bandit was dormant for six years and reemerged for the first time in January 2023. At that time, the hackers began moving approximately $90 million in stolen assets, including 51,000 Ethereum (ETH) and 470 Bitcoin (BTC). The attackers, active since 2016, used a technique called ‘Ethercombing’ to exploit vulnerable Ethereum private keys. The method involves searching for suboptimal, or “narrow”, subregions of 256-bit keys, allowing hackers to leak more than 10,000 wallets globally. Through this strategy, Blockchain Bandit raised 51,000 Ether from his personal wallet.
Experts point out that a rise in cryptocurrency prices may trigger sudden fund movements.
On January 16, 2023, the hacker began trading again, and by January 21, Blockchain Bandit had transferred almost all of its holdings (worth approximately $214.53 million at current market prices), 51,000 ETH and 470 BTC, to a new address. I moved it.
Most recently, the attacker transferred 51,000 ETH, currently worth approximately $170 million, to a single multisig address.
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