Crypto Attacker Moves $12.5 Million in BNB to Intermediate Address
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In Brief
An attacker has shifted around 59,500 BNB, worth approximately $12.5 million, to an intermediate address.
The funds have been further moved to the BSC Token Hub and various cryptocurrency exchanges, including OKX, ChangeNow, and Binance.
Monitoring by PeckShield suggests the attacker is laundering the stolen assets.
Security monitoring firm PeckShield recently flagged suspicious activity involving the transfer of 59,500 BNB coins, roughly equivalent to $12.5 million.
The transfer took place over four days, moving from one address to an intermediate account with the identifier starting with 0x2bbc. Soon after, 58,300 BNB coins, or around $12.46 million, found their way into the BSC Token Hub.
How the Attacker Laundered the BNB Assets
It appears the attacker didn’t stop at merely transferring the stolen funds. Further movements show attempts at laundering the remaining money.
Notably, some funds were processed through Tornado.Cash, a privacy-focused Ethereum mixing service, while others were sent to centralized exchanges (CEXs) such as OKX, ChangeNow, and even Binance, which is the primary exchange for BNB tokens.
PeckShield’s tweet provides a snapshot of these transactions, adding another layer of verification for those following the story.
#PeckShieldAlert The stake drainers on #BNBChain transferred ~59.5K $BNB (worth ~$12.5M) to intermediary address 0x2bbc…2cde within the last 4 days.
— PeckShieldAlert (@PeckShieldAlert) September 19, 2023
The address has transferred 58.3K $BNB (worth ~$12.46M) to BSC Token Hub, and laundered remaining stolen funds either via… pic.twitter.com/k6T6njs6s5
Implications for Crypto Exchanges and Security
This series of events raises significant concerns about the security protocols in place on crypto platforms, particularly those that trade BNB coins. If an attacker can move such a significant amount of money with relative ease, what does this mean for the average investor?
Moreover, the use of privacy tools like Tornado.Cash and established exchanges for laundering raises questions about the efficacy of current anti-money laundering (AML) measures within the crypto ecosystem.
As cryptocurrencies gain traction, incidents like these highlight gaps in security that industry stakeholders need to address urgently. While tracking and flagging suspicious activity are steps in the right direction, there’s a pressing need for robust security mechanisms to prevent such attacks in the first place.
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Nik is an accomplished analyst and writer at Metaverse Post, specializing in delivering cutting-edge insights into the fast-paced world of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI/ML, XR, VR, on-chain analytics, and blockchain development. His articles engage and inform a diverse audience, helping them stay ahead of the technological curve. Possessing a Master's degree in Economics and Management, Nik has a solid grasp of the nuances of the business world and its intersection with emergent technologies.
More articlesNik is an accomplished analyst and writer at Metaverse Post, specializing in delivering cutting-edge insights into the fast-paced world of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI/ML, XR, VR, on-chain analytics, and blockchain development. His articles engage and inform a diverse audience, helping them stay ahead of the technological curve. Possessing a Master's degree in Economics and Management, Nik has a solid grasp of the nuances of the business world and its intersection with emergent technologies.
