A Blockchain Bandit hacker has change into energetic once more after beforehand stealing cryptocurrencies together with Ether and Bitcoin, valued at $90 million in 2018.
Blockchain Bandit Attacker Wakes up from Slumber; Strikes 51K ETH
In keeping with ZachXBT, the Blockchain Bandit attacker has change into energetic once more after years of dormancy, and has collected 51,000 ETH ($172.2 million) right into a multi-signature handle (0xC45C36017b0B7708f493534Ca4f0930964C1D542). https://t.co/lWmVEd2nJv
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 31, 2024
In keeping with crypto investigator ZachXBT, the attacker consolidated 51,000 ETH (valued at almost $170 million) right into a single multisig handle: 0xC45C36017b0B7708f493534Ca4f0930964C1D542.
The Blockchain Bandit initially resurfaced in January 2023 after being dormant for six years. At the moment, the hacker started transferring roughly $90 million in stolen property, together with 51,000 Ether (ETH) and 470 Bitcoin (BTC). Lively since 2016, the attacker used a method known as “Ethercombing,” which exploits weak Ethereum personal keys. This technique entails scanning suboptimal or “narrowed” sub-regions of 256-bit keys, enabling the hacker to empty over 10,000 wallets globally. By way of this technique, the Blockchain Bandit amassed over 51,000 Ether from particular person wallets.
Consultants counsel the sudden motion of funds could also be triggered by rising cryptocurrency costs.
On January 16, 2023, the hacker started transacting once more, and by January 21, the Blockchain Bandit had moved virtually all of their holdings i.e., 51,000 ETH and 470 BTC, value roughly $214.53 million at present market costs, to new addresses.
Most just lately, the attacker has right this moment transferred the 51,000 ETH, now value approx $170 million, right into a single multisig handle.
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