Iranian Crypto Exchange Nobitex Hit by Pro-Israel Hackers, $90M Crypto Wiped

In a brazen act of digital sabotage, a pro-Israel hacker group, “Predatory Sparrow,” targeted Nobitex, Iran’s leading crypto exchange, on June 18. The hackers didn’t steal the funds; they destroyed approximately $90 million worth of cryptocurrency. The group’s actions were designed to send a political signal. This attack occurred shortly after the same group claimed responsibility for an attack on Iran’s Bank Sepah. The hackers accused Nobitex of facilitating the Iranian regime’s evasion of sanctions and funding of terrorist activities. Nobitex acknowledged the security breach and suspended operations, with its platform remaining offline. The hackers, operating under the alias “Gonjeshke Darande,” warned they would release Nobitex’s source code and internal information if funds were not recovered. Predatory Sparrow has a track record of disrupting Iranian infrastructure, including fuel distribution and industrial facilities, with the stated goal of targeting the Iranian government and the IRGC. The current incident is viewed as part of a broader strategy, potentially linked to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel.