FBI Launches Crypto Coin to Catch Fraudsters in 2024
- The Internet Archive experienced a breach, leading to the theft of 31 million user accounts.
- The US Treasury seized 69,000 bitcoins from the Silk Road, while the FBI targeted crypto fraud with a new token.
- These events reflect the increasing challenges in cybersecurity and the need for stricter regulations.
In October 2024, the Internet Archive faced a significant security breach, resulting in the theft of 31 million user account details and a defacement of its website. This incident occurred amidst ongoing lawsuits against the organization, which is known for preserving web pages. Concurrently, the US Treasury Department was cleared to seize 69,000 bitcoins linked to the Silk Road dark web market, valued at approximately $4.4 billion. The former IRS investigator involved in the seizure, Tigran Gambaryan, is currently imprisoned in Nigeria due to allegations related to his work with the crypto exchange Binance. Additionally, the FBI created a new Ethereum-based token, NexFundAI, to target crypto market manipulators, leading to charges against 18 individuals. However, this operation also affected innocent retail investors. Meanwhile, National Public Data, a Florida-based data broker, filed for bankruptcy following a catastrophic data breach that exposed billions of records, impacting millions of individuals across the US, Canada, and the UK. In a related development, Russia and Turkey blocked access to the Discord messaging platform due to concerns over its use for illegal activities, including drug sales and child abuse material. These events highlight the ongoing challenges of cybersecurity and the regulatory landscape surrounding digital platforms.