Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex experienced a significant cyberattack, resulting in the theft of over $90 million in crypto assets. The Central Bank has responded with new regulations limiting the operating hours of local exchanges.
Hacking Incident at Nobitex
The pro-Israeli hacker group Gonjeshke Darande claimed responsibility for the attack on Nobitex, located in Tehran. They asserted that they infiltrated the platform's infrastructure and threatened to release its source code and internal data.
Response from Iran's Central Bank
In response to the incident, Iran's Central Bank has restricted the hours of operation for cryptocurrency exchanges from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This measure aims to ensure the security of crypto trading within the country.
Political Context and Consequences
Cybersecurity firms have reported that the stolen funds were not utilized for profit. Instead, the assets were irreversibly 'burned', rendering them inaccessible, which raises questions about the financial motives behind the attack. Blockchain analytics company Elliptic confirmed that over $90 million from Nobitex was moved to so-called 'burn' wallets.
The Nobitex incident highlights the escalating tensions in cyberspace between Iran and Israel. The new measures from the Central Bank may significantly impact the operations of cryptocurrency exchanges in the country amid a volatile political climate.
