Vitalik Buterin's X Account Hack Results in $691K Theft

Hackers recently targeted Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin's X account, making off with over $691,000 by using a deceptive phishing link to gain access to users' wallets. According to blockchain analyst ZachXBT, the stolen assets were predominantly in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), accounting for 73% of the total value.

The tweet containing the harmful link has been removed, but its impact remains. While there's speculation about a possible "SIM swap" attack, ZachXBT refrains from making any definitive conclusions. Given Buterin's substantial following of 4.9 million on X (formerly Twitter), he could potentially be a prime target for an inside job. SIM swapping involves seizing control of someone's phone number to bypass two-factor authentication on platforms like cryptocurrency exchanges or social media sites.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced of crypto investors collectively losing a staggering $54 million in a single month due to rug pulls, scams, and hacks. In a similar incident, hackers took control of the official Terra blockchain website, disseminating a series of malicious links. The exact extent of the theft remains uncertain.