Israel’s $90M Nobitex Exploit Tied to Crypto-Funded Espionage

Key Points

1. $90 million was stolen from Iran’s Nobitex exchange, with TRM Labs suggesting the funds were used to pay Iranian spies.

2. Three Israeli citizens were arrested for allegedly conducting espionage activities on behalf of Iranian intelligence, including tracking and photographing members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s family.

3. A pro-Israel hacking group, Gonjeshke Darande, claimed responsibility for the Nobitex hack, wiping $90 million and releasing the exchange’s settings.

4. TRM Labs noted potential intelligence overlaps, linking the hack to broader geopolitical tensions, including Israeli airstrikes and subsequent arrests.

5. The breach may have provided access to KYC records, enabling the mapping of crypto payments to local operatives.