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Cybersecurity Concerns Rise as Hackers Steal $1 Million from NFT Projects posing as IT Workers

5 hours ago
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Recent Cryptocurrency Security Breaches

In a troubling new development within the cryptocurrency sector, an influx of malicious hackers masquerading as legitimate IT professionals has resulted in the theft of approximately $1 million in digital currency over the last week. This alarming report was released by ZackXBT, a renowned cybersecurity analyst and on-chain investigator.

Impact on NFT Projects and Marketplaces

The breaches impacted multiple entities, including Favrr, a marketplace specializing in fan tokens, as well as notable NFT projects like Replicandy and ChainSaw. Other affected organizations were not disclosed in ZackXBT’s update shared on Friday via X.

The hackers exploited vulnerabilities specifically within the minting processes of these NFT projects, allowing them to mass produce non-fungible tokens. After flooding the market, they capitalized on the ensuing price collapse, effectively rendering the value of these NFTs worthless while securing significant profits for themselves.

Aftermath and Ongoing Threats

Following these nefarious actions, it was reported that the stolen digital assets were funneled through various wallets and crypto exchanges. Notably, funds siphoned from the ChainSaw hack have largely remained inactive, while the assets taken from Favrr have been moved to nested services, according to the on-chain detective.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the crypto and blockchain industries, where the infiltration by malicious software developers presents a serious threat. Such breaches not only inflict financial harm on users but also jeopardize the hard work of development teams in the field.

Broader Security Concerns

The situation echoes broader security issues across various sectors as cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics. In November 2024, researchers uncovered a group of hackers associated with the North Korean government, referred to as ‘Ruby Sleet’, who had successfully penetrated defenses at U.S. aerospace and defense contractors. This group has also extended its reach to IT firms, using fake recruitment schemes and social engineering tactics to target these organizations.

In a related instance, Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, reported in May 2025 that it fell victim to a data leak followed by an extortion attempt. External actors managed to bribe various Coinbase customer service representatives to steal sensitive account information from over 69,000 users, leading to personal data such as contact details being leaked. This incident, analyzed by the Latham and Watkins law firm, underscores the persistent danger posed by internal vulnerabilities and the pressing need for enhanced security measures in the crypto space.

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