Another major crypto hack has shaken the market, this time targeting Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex.
On-chain investigator ZachXBT first revealed the attack in a Telegram post, reporting that at least $81.7 million in digital assets were drained from Nobitex-linked wallets. The exploit spanned multiple blockchains, including Tron, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum-compatible networks.
Making the attack even more brazen was the hacker’s use of “vanity addresses” wallet addresses customized with offensive, politically charged names aimed directly at Nobitex. One example was “TKFuckiRGCTerroristsNoBiTEXy2r7mNX”, seen on the Tron blockchain . Other addresses included equally explicit variations, making it clear that this was not a typical financially motivated exploit.
Hacker Group Claims Responsibility
Shortly after the hack, a pro-Israel hacker group calling itself “Gonjeshke Darande”publicly claimed responsibility for the attack on social media. The group has previously targeted entities tied to Iranian infrastructure and tech.
A major amount of the stolen crypto appears to have been burned, sent to wallet addresses that make the assets permanently inaccessible unless stablecoin issuers intervene to freeze or reissue funds.
Nobitex quickly responded in a post on X, assuring users that all losses would be covered:
Part of a Bigger Problem
The Nobitex hack is just the latest in a troubling trend. According to blockchain security firm CertiK, over $2.1 billion in on-chain losses have already been recorded in 2025 alone. Most of those losses stem from wallet compromises, phishing attacks, and data leaks.
CertiK warned in a recent post
The Nobitex incident also highlights the increasing overlap between cyberattacks and geopolitics. Unlike typical exchange hacks aimed at profit, this attack carried clear political overtones, signaling a shift in the motives behind some of crypto’s largest security incidents.
Final Thought
As crypto adoption spreads globally, the lines between financial hacks and politically motivated attacks are starting to blur. For users, the lesson is clear: exchanges need to take security more seriously, especially in regions where cyber conflict is escalating.
And for the broader crypto space, it’s another sharp reminder that the risks in Web3 go far beyond market volatility.
