Bitcoin wallet of Russian intelligence agency, hacker-like person exposed | coindesk JAPAN

A mysterious Bitcoiner appears to have weaponized the Bitcoin blockchain against Russia. Exposed hundreds of cryptocurrency wallets allegedly held by Russian security and intelligence agencies.

Using the Bitcoin blockchain’s ability to record transactions, a mysterious individual has stolen 986 accounts managed by Russia’s Military General Staff Intelligence Service (GRU), Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and Federal Security Service (FSB). Chainalysis, a blockchain data analytics firm that works closely with the U.S. government, said it had identified the wallet.

A mysterious message written in Russian accuses the wallet of being involved in a hack.

I don’t know if this person’s claims are true. Three Russian agencies have not yet responded to requests for comment.

What we do know is that this person controlled at least some of these wallets, possibly through hacking, or through an inside job.

Allegations of Russian hacking had been circulating for weeks before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but this time it took an unexpected turn.

The Ukrainian government is using crypto to raise tens of millions of dollars to fight Russia.

｜Translation: coindesk JAPAN
｜Editing: Takayuki Masuda
| Image: Chainalysis CEO Michael Gronager (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
｜ Original text: Russian Bitcoin Wallets Allegedly Exposed by Apparent Hacker