CoinMarketCap Breach

CoinMarketCap is a crypto-tracking website that tracks many forms of cryptocurrencies and provides current crypto news to its users. They provide lists of prices for each type of cryptocurrency that are regularly updated for people to follow.

What Was the Breach?

CoinMarketCap revealed hackers illegally accessed over three million customer email addresses last fall. The criminals behind the attack accessed customer email accounts and other details, some of which might be used to steal identities in the future.

Adding salt to the wound of the breach is the fact that the information about the company’s account holders was publicized on hacking forums, setting the stage for an army of digital criminals to wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people. Though the breach occurred in the second half of 2021, it will have ramifications in the form of identity theft, financial fraud, phishing, and other digital attacks for years to come.

How Did the Breach Occur?

CoinMarketCap is investigating to determine how hackers stole the data. At the moment, it is unclear how the data thieves accessed the company's internal systems. Interestingly, company representatives indicated they had not identified any evidence that information had leaked from its servers.

CoinMarketCap representatives went as far as speculating a threat actor stole leaked email addresses and then made it appear that someone inside the company intentionally leaked the information to obfuscate the truth. CoinMarketCap responded to the attack by confirming the loss of data, the bulk of which pertained to its customers in the United States, Japan, and India.

When Did This Breach Occur?

This breach occurred in October 2021.

Who Does the Breach Impact?

The breach impacts CoinMarketCap customers. The company also lost customers as a result of the attack.

How Many Files Does the Breach Affect?

More than three million accounts were illegally accessed in the attack.