{"id":26916,"date":"2025-05-15T11:46:39","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T11:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/coinbase-refuses-20m-ransom-after-support-agent-data-breach\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T11:46:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T11:46:39","slug":"coinbase-refuses-20m-ransom-after-support-agent-data-breach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/?p=26916","title":{"rendered":"Coinbase refuses $20M ransom after support agent data breach"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Coinbase<\/p>\n

Coinbase, the world\u2019s third-largest cryptocurrency exchange, was hit by a $20 million extortion attempt after cybercriminals recruited overseas support agents to leak user data, the company said.<\/p>\n

According<\/a> to a May 15 blog post, Coinbase said a group of external actors bribed and coordinated with several customer support contractors to access internal systems and steal limited user account data.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese insiders abused their access to customer support systems to steal the account data for a small subset of customers,\u201d Coinbase said, adding that no passwords, private keys, funds or Coinbase Prime accounts were affected.<\/p>\n

Less than 1% of Coinbase\u2019s monthly transacting users\u2019 data was affected by the attack, the company said.<\/p>\n

\"Coinbase
Source: <\/em>Coinbase<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After stealing the data, the attackers attempted to extort $20 million from Coinbase in exchange for not disclosing the breach. Coinbase refused the demand.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Ukraine strategic Bitcoin reserve bill reportedly in final stages<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Instead, the company announced it was offering a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the scheme.<\/p>\n

Scammers often masquerade as recognizable brands to inspire a false sense of trust in their victims.<\/p>\n

\"Coinbase
US brands impersonated by scammers the most. Source: <\/em>Mailsuite<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2024, Coinbase was the<\/a> most impersonated cryptocurrency brand by scammers.<\/p>\n

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Top South Korean presidential hopefuls support legalizing Bitcoin ETFs<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n