Iran’s Nobitex Exchange Hit by $90 Million Cyberattack Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran’s Largest Crypto Exchange Targeted

Recently, Nobitex, Iran’s premier cryptocurrency exchange, experienced a significant cyberattack resulting in the theft of approximately $90 million in digital assets. The breach was attributed to the hacker group “Predatory Sparrow” (Gonjeshke Darande), believed to have links to Israeli interests. The stolen assets included major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. The hackers accused Nobitex of facilitating Iran’s efforts to bypass international sanctions and finance militant activities.

Attack Details and Political Implications

The cyberattack was characterized by the transfer of stolen funds to specific cryptocurrency addresses labeled with anti-Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) messages, effectively rendering the assets unrecoverable. This act was interpreted as a political statement rather than a financially motivated crime. Following the breach, Nobitex took its website and mobile application offline to investigate unauthorized access to its systems. The incident has raised concerns about the security vulnerabilities of cryptocurrency exchanges operating in politically sensitive regions.

Broader Impact and Regional Tensions

This cyberattack is part of a series of escalating digital confrontations between Iran and Israel, reflecting the increasing role of cyber warfare in geopolitical conflicts. The attack on Nobitex follows a similar incident involving Iran’s state-owned Bank Sepah, which also suffered a cyber breach attributed to the same hacker group. These events underscore the vulnerabilities of critical financial infrastructure in the face of sophisticated cyber threats.