Mark Cuban’s Crypto Wallet Drained For $900k

Mark Cuban recently faced a significant crypto setback. An unexpected breach in his hot wallet led to a loss of around $900,000. 😲

The anomaly was first spotted by blockchain investigator Wazz, who noticed unusual activity in a previously dormant Cuban wallet. Within a short 10-minute span, assets like $USDC, $USDT, and Lido Staked $ETH were rapidly withdrawn.

Lmao, did Mark Cuban's wallet just get drained?

Wallet inactive for 160 days and all assets just moved pic.twitter.com/vWnMZFyHB5

— Wazz (@WazzCrypto) September 15, 2023

Adding to the intrigue, another $2 million in USDC was moved shortly after. Initially raising eyebrows, Cuban later clarified he was merely repositioning assets, hinting that hackers might have been monitoring his moves. To safeguard his remaining crypto, Cuban shifted his assets to Coinbase Custody.

Some theorize Cuban’s own actions might have inadvertently led to the breach, possibly through a mistaken transaction approval or a compromised private key. 🔑

The Setting: Axie Infinity in March 2022
The Stage: The largest blockchain hack in history.
(This story is inspired by NPR. For a detailed account, read it here.)

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. – Sherlock Holmes

The Game is Afoot

In the complex landscape of cryptocurrency, a mystery unraveled. One that could rival the challenges faced by the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. However, this wasn’t the foggy streets of Victorian London; it was the digital corridors of $AXS.

Erin Plante, with her expertise in blockchain, was gearing up for a pivotal investigation. Axie Infinity, the blockchain version of Pokemon, had suffered a setback. Not from a cunning adversary like Moriarty but from a digital breach that resulted in a staggering $600 million disappearing into the virtual abyss. 🔍

The Clues Left Behind

“You see, but you do not observe.” – Sherlock Holmes

While the digital world buzzed with the news of the heist, Erin, blockchain’s modern-day Holmes, was already on the case. Every transaction and move was a footprint left behind by the culprits. But unlike footprints, these digital moves were permanent, indelible, and immutable. 🕵️‍♂️

The Chase Begins

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” – Sherlock Holmes

Erin and her team monitored was in hot pursuit as the criminals moved the stolen crypto, changing wallets, splitting money, and swapping currencies. But this was a digital chase, with Erin and her team tracking every move, every transaction, every hint of where the money might be headed.

In a twist that would have intrigued Holmes himself, the criminals began using mixers, digital tools designed to obfuscate the origins of cryptocurrency, making it almost impossible to trace. 

She had seen these tactics before and knew that behind the complex web of transactions; the truth lay waiting to be uncovered. She knew how to unmix the mixed. 🕴️

The North Korean Connection

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” – Sherlock Holmes

As the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, a picture emerged that pointed to one of the most formidable adversaries in the crypto world: North Korea. 

Much like Holmes and Watson, Erin and her team worked tirelessly, tracking the stolen funds, reaching out to exchanges, and piecing together the intricate web of transactions.

The clock was ticking, and every second counted. 🕰️

The Conclusion

“What one man can invent, another can discover.” – Sherlock Holmes

While the entire sum couldn’t be recovered, Erin’s relentless pursuit ensured that a significant portion was frozen and kept out of the wrong hands.

The Axie Infinity heist was a stark reminder of the challenges and dangers of the crypto world. But it also highlighted the brilliance of individuals like Erin, who work to ensure that justice is served with their dedication and expertise.

In the end, as the dust settled on this digital caper, one thing was clear: the world of crypto had found its Sherlock Holmes in Erin Plante.

The hack remains the largest crypto heist in history. 😱

The SEC is demanding a thorough inspection of Binance.US. and their seemingly evasive behavior and reluctance to hand over crucial documents. 🤔

Just a few months ago, the SEC threw the book at Binance.US, its global parent, Binance Holdings, and founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. Now, the SEC is doubling down, emphasizing the “urgent need” for a deep dive into Binance’s dealings, especially their questionable use of the custody platform Ceffu (once known as Binance Custody).

The SEC suspects some sneaky business, hinting that Ceffu might be helping Binance.US move U.S. customer funds overseas, a big no-no based on prior agreements. The root of the issue? Binance.US’s parent company, BAM Trading Services, couldn’t convince the SEC that they had full control over customer assets. 😒

The SEC’s not buying BAM’s “evolving” tales about Ceffu and is calling out the company for its inconsistent stories and dragging its feet on document production. They’re urging the court to force the exchange to provide the requested depositions and communications.

While Ceffu insists it’s an independent entity and not tied to Binance, the real relationship remains murky at best. 🤷‍♂️