Connect with us

Crypto World

Europol and FBI Shut Down Major Cybercrime Forum LeakBase

Published

on

Crypto Breaking News

An international, cross-border operation led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Europol has dismantled LeakBase, one of the internet’s most active hubs for cybercrime. The coordinated takedown targeted a forum that facilitated the sale of stolen data and cybercrime services, drawing more than 142,000 registered members and generating extensive activity with over 215,000 posts. Officials described the operation as one of the largest takedowns of its kind, underscoring the global reach of digital criminal marketplaces and the growing cooperation among law enforcement agencies to disrupt them. The action culminated in simultaneous actions across 14 countries on March 3 and 4, with authorities replacing the site with seizure notices and collecting critical data for evidence.

Key takeaways

  • LeakBase hosted a large community of cybercriminals, with 142,000+ members and more than 215,000 posts before the takedown.
  • The operation ran on March 3–4 and involved synchronized actions by law enforcement across 14 countries, including warrants, arrests, and site seizures.
  • Authorities replaced LeakBase with seizure banners and gathered user data, posts, and IP logs to support prosecutions and future investigations.
  • U.S. and international agencies emphasized that the platform served as a conduit for stolen credentials, financial data, and other sensitive information.
  • The case sits within a broader pattern of increased leakage and credential exposure affecting the crypto ecosystem, prompting ongoing scrutiny of security practices across exchanges and wallets.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $ETH, $COIN

Market context: The takedown aligns with a heightened global emphasis on cross-border cybercrime investigations and the crypto sector’s momentum toward stronger protection of customer data and infrastructure resilience amid rising leakage incidents.

Why it matters

The LeakBase operation highlights the persistent threat posed by large online crime forums that streamline the sale of stolen data, including credentials and financial information. While no specific crypto accounts were cited in the immediate statements, the incident fits a troubling trend in which attackers leverage leaked data to perpetrate social engineering, targeted phishing, and account takeovers within crypto ecosystems. A Justice Department briefing noted that the takedown disrupts a major international platform used by cybercriminals to monetize stolen information, thereby reducing the pool of readily available data for criminals who aim to compromise wallets, exchanges, or payment networks. The broader implication is a push for more proactive security measures across crypto service providers and financial platforms alike, as well as greater transparency around the provenance of user data and the steps required to protect it.

The crackdown also serves as a reminder of prominent, previously shuttered marketplaces, such as Raidforums, whose shutdown in 2022 and subsequent data revelations underscored how leaked information can ripple through the crypto space. In that prior case, exposed data included tens or hundreds of thousands of records tied to crypto-wallet users, illustrating how platform safeguards and user due diligence intersect with criminal risk. Although the LeakBase action did not explicitly cite a crypto-specific breach, the interconnected nature of cybercrime means that leaked credentials and payment details can be repurposed for fraudulent activities across exchanges, wallets, and custodial services. This dynamic has kept the security posture of several platforms under closer scrutiny and spurred calls for enhanced multi-factor authentication, better anomaly detection, and tougher access controls across the board.

Advertisement

From a policy perspective, the operation reinforces the value of international cooperation in cybercrime investigations. Law enforcement officials engaged in search warrants and arrests across eight distinct jurisdictions, reinforcing that cyber threats do not respect borders. While the immediate focus was on dismantling a criminal forum, the long-term effect is a broadened mandate for cross-jurisdictional data sharing, real-time intelligence collaboration, and more aggressive enforcement against online marketplaces that facilitate illicit activity. In crypto markets, where user trust hinges on verifiable security practices, the incident reinforces the imperative for exchanges and wallets to invest in better credential protection, phishing resistance, and response playbooks that can quickly isolate compromised accounts and limit damage.

In parallel, security researchers note that the human factor remains a primary vector for breaches. The narrative surrounding leaked data—whether from exchanges or support channels—underscores how social engineering and insider risk can undermine even the most robust technical defenses. As security teams evaluate their incident response plans, the LeakBase takedown offers a concrete case study in how coordinated, multinational action can disrupt criminal networks, while also raising questions about the balance between takedowns and safeguarding legitimate users who may be affected by seizures and account suspensions.

What to watch next

  • Official statements and charging documents from the Department of Justice and participating jurisdictions outlining specific prosecutions and charges related to LeakBase users and operators.
  • Updates on any additional seizures, arrests, or indictments tied to the operation, including cross-border investigations into connected forums or marketplaces.
  • Post-takedown data disclosures or advisories from impacted platforms or security firms detailing how compromised data was used and what remediation steps were taken.
  • Regulatory or policy developments aimed at tightening cybercrime cooperation, data protection standards, and credential theft prevention within crypto exchanges and wallet providers.

Sources & verification

  • U.S. Department of Justice press release on the dismantlement of LeakBase and related law enforcement actions (official source)
  • Statement from the FBI Cyber Division confirming the takedown and evidentiary preservation (official source)
  • Ledger data leak reference tied to Raidforums and its historical impact on crypto-users’ data exposure
  • Cointelegraph reporting on Coinbase breach activities and related social engineering risk

LeakBase takedown and the global hunt for cybercrime marketplaces

An international coalition spearheaded by the FBI and Europol orchestrated a landmark takedown of LeakBase, a sprawling cybercrime forum that served as a marketplace for stolen data, hacking tools, and illicit services. The operation, conducted across March 3 and 4, mobilized authorities in 14 countries, signaling both the scale of the network and the depth of international cooperation now applied to cybercriminal infrastructure. After the seizures, authorities replaced the site with seizure banners and initiated the collection of logs, messages, and user data to support ongoing investigations and potential prosecutions. The operation marks a notable milestone in the fight against online marketplaces that enable financial fraud, credential theft, and targeted scams across digital ecosystems.

Officials stressed that the dismantled platform operated as a conduit for the theft and monetization of sensitive personal, banking, and account data. The DOJ’s Criminal Division emphasized that these networks typically enable numerous downstream crimes, including social engineering campaigns that exploit exposed data to manipulate victims or extract money. In the context of the crypto space, where custody and access rely on credentials and reputation, the disruption of such forums is seen as a meaningful step toward reducing the pool of readily available information criminals can weaponize to compromise exchanges, wallets, and accounts.

While the primary focus of the LeakBase takedown was not a single cryptoasset, the ripple effects touch a sector already grappling with credential leakage and social engineering. The broader security environment remains fragile, with past incidents linked to data exposures and compromised customer information that can be weaponized against crypto holders. The operation’s multinational scope highlights a shift toward more aggressive, coordinated enforcement that crosses legal jurisdictions, a development welcomed by security professionals who argue that collaboration is essential to disrupt criminal ecosystems that thrive on anonymity and scale.

Advertisement

Looking ahead, investigators will parse through seized data to map relationships between users, trace stolen credentials, and identify potential targets across financial platforms. The case may yield further charges and unravel ancillary networks that connect LeakBase to other forums or marketplaces. As the crypto sector continues to push for stronger security controls and better data hygiene, this takedown provides a real-world demonstration of how law enforcement, policy, and industry players can align to curb cybercrime’s reach while preserving legitimate users’ trust in digital asset ecosystems.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crypto World

Eric Trump Criticizes Big Banks Over Stablecoin Yield Fight

Published

on

Eric Trump Criticizes Big Banks Over Stablecoin Yield Fight

Eric Trump, co-founder of World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has criticized major banks for opposing stablecoin yields, calling their actions ‘anti-American’ as they protect their low-rate monopoly.

His remarks came as his father, President Donald Trump, also escalated his attacks on the banking lobby over the stalled CLARITY Act.

Eric Trump Calls Out Banks for “Protecting Low-Rate Monopoly”

Eric Trump laid out his criticism in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). He pointed out that major banks offer depositors interest rates as low as 0.01–0.05% APY on standard savings accounts.

This occurs even though the Federal Reserve pays those same banks over 4%. That spread, he stressed, generates record profits that are not returned to everyday depositors.

Advertisement

“Big Banks (think JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, etc.) are lobbying overtime to block Americans from getting higher yields on their savings—while trying to block any rewards or perks from being given to customers,” he said.

Follow us on X to get the latest news as it happens

He then identified crypto and stablecoins, where platforms plan to offer yields of 4–5% or more, as the specific targets banks are now mobilizing against. Eric Trump added that the American Bankers Association (ABA) and other lobbyists are “spending millions” to block or limit these yields through legislative efforts such as the Clarity Act.

He said that the banks are framing their opposition with terms like “fairness” and “stability.” However, Eric Trump argued that their true goal is to safeguard their “low-rate monopoly” and prevent customers from moving their deposits elsewhere.

“This is anti-retail, anti-consumer, and straight-up anti-American. Next time you see a big bank dropping billions on a shiny new Midtown Manhattan HQ, you know exactly where that money comes from: the non-existent interest rate they “pay” you! Fortunately, the big banks are losing this fight as customers wake up to the games,” he concluded.

Earlier, President Trump accused banks of “undermining and threatening” the GENIUS Act. He also pushed for the passage of the CLARITY Act.

Advertisement

“The Banks should not be trying to undercut The Genius Act, or hold The Clarity Act hostage. They need to make a good deal with the Crypto Industry because that’s what’s in best interest of the American People,” Trump posted.

How Stablecoin Yield Became a Legislative Blockade

The CLARITY Act passed the House with bipartisan support in July 2025. The goal of the bill is to define regulatory oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). After moving to the Senate Banking Committee, it stalled.

The US Senate’s version of the crypto market structure bill restricts companies from paying interest solely for holding balances and limits the scope of reward offerings. This has created division among banking representatives and crypto lobbyists.

The White House set March 1 as a deadline for compromise between banks and crypto firms over stablecoin yield rules. Yet that deadline passed without agreement, increasing uncertainty.

The Senate Banking Committee is reportedly considering mid-to-late March for potential markup sessions. Whether Congress can resolve the issue before election politics take over will determine the near-term path for crypto regulation.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Why a Drop to $0.21 Is Still Possible

Published

on

Bearish Cardano Structure

Cardano price has rebounded alongside the broader crypto market, rising about 5% in the past 24 hours. The move has helped the token recover nearly 10% from its March 4 low, offering short-term relief after weeks of weakness. However, the rebound does not fully resolve the structural risks surrounding the asset.

A weakening technical structure, rising on-chain coin movement, and an imbalance in derivatives positioning all point to the same possibility: the current rebound may still face downside pressure. Understanding that risk begins with the chart structure itself.

Hidden Bearish Divergence Emerges as Coin Movement Surges

Cardano’s price structure on the 12-hour chart is currently forming a head-and-shoulders pattern, a formation commonly associated with potential trend reversals. The pattern began developing in early February, with the left shoulder, head, and right shoulder now clearly visible. The neckline support of this structure sits near $0.26.

On March 4, Cardano briefly attempted to break below this neckline. The broader crypto market rally, however, pushed the price higher, allowing ADA to rebound roughly 10% from its recent low. Yet the technical picture still carries risk.

Advertisement

Between March 2 and March 4, Cardano formed two lower highs, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) printed a higher high during the same period.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Bearish Cardano Structure
Bearish Cardano Structure: TradingView

The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the strength of price movements by comparing recent gains and losses. When price makes lower highs while RSI makes higher highs during a downtrend, it forms hidden bearish divergence. This pattern typically signals trend continuation, suggesting sellers remain active despite temporary rallies.

On-chain data reinforces this concern. The Spent Coins Age Band, a metric that tracks how many previously held coins move across the network, shows a sudden surge in distribution-linked activity.

On March 3, approximately 93 million ADA moved on-chain. By March 5, that figure had climbed over 143 million ADA, marking a 54% increase in coin movement.

Advertisement
Coin Activity Rises
Coin Activity Rises: Santiment

Although the metric has since dropped to almost 81 million ADA, the spike suggests that many holders moved coins during the recent rebound, potentially preparing to sell. This rising distribution pressure leads to the next key risk area: leveraged traders.

Rising Long Leverage Adds Liquidation Risk as Spot Demand Weakens

While on-chain activity hints at potential ADA selling, derivatives markets reveal a second vulnerability.

According to the Binance ADA/USDT liquidation map, leveraged traders currently hold significantly more long exposure than short exposure.

30-Day Data shows:

  • Long liquidation leverage: about $22 million
  • Short liquidation leverage: roughly $17 million

This means long positions outweigh short positions by around 26%. While the long bias is not heavy, it still invokes caution.

When the market holds a long exposure amid a bearish technical structure, downside volatility can increase. If prices begin to fall, these long positions may be forced to close, triggering liquidations that accelerate the decline. Normally, strong spot market demand helps absorb this type of pressure.

Advertisement
Liquidation Map
Liquidation Map: Coinglass

However, whale activity suggests that such support is currently limited.

Wallet data shows that most major holder cohorts have not significantly increased their balances in recent days.

Addresses holding:

  • 100 million to 1 billion ADA
  • More than 1 billion ADA

have largely kept their balances unchanged.

Only the 10 million to 100 million ADA cohort has shown modest accumulation, increasing holdings from 16.67 billion ADA to 16.69 billion ADA. Slightly above $5 million in worth.

Cardano Whales
Cardano Whales: Santiment

This increase is relatively small and does not signal strong new buying demand. With whales largely inactive and coin movement rising, the market may lack the spot demand needed to stabilize the price if selling pressure increases. This dynamic makes Cardano’s key price levels particularly important.

Cardano Price Faces Critical Test Between $0.28 and $0.25

Cardano is currently trading near $0.27, placing it close to the neckline support of the head-and-shoulders structure. Several levels now determine the next directional move.

Advertisement

The first resistance sits near $0.28. This level has repeatedly rejected price attempts since late February. A 12-hour candle close above $0.28 would signal that buyers are regaining control.

If momentum strengthens further, the next resistance lies near $0.29, where the right shoulder of the pattern formed. A stronger breakout above $0.31 would invalidate the bearish structure entirely. Crossing this level would push the price above the head of the pattern and could signal a broader trend reversal.

Cardano Price Analysis
Cardano Price Analysis: TradingView

However, downside risk remains if support fails. A drop below $0.25 would confirm a breakdown of the head-and-shoulders pattern. In that scenario, Cardano could fall toward $0.21, representing a potential 18% decline from the neckline.

For now, Cardano’s 10% rebound has delayed the breakdown, but the combination of hidden bearish divergence, rising coin movement, and heavy long leverage suggests the market may still face a critical test in the days ahead. Only a 12-hour candle close above $0.28 can negate the threats for now.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Market analyst Owen Lau says new crypto rally ‘has legs’

Published

on

Market analyst Owen Lau says new crypto rally ‘has legs’

The latest cryptocurrency rally could still have significant momentum, according to analyst Owen Lau, who said the market’s recent surge is supported by improving policy developments and stronger institutional participation.

Summary

  • Analyst Owen Lau said the current crypto rally “has legs,” suggesting the market could sustain momentum.
  • Pro-crypto policy developments in Washington are helping improve sentiment.
  • Growing institutional participation and ETF flows are reinforcing the rally.

Bitcoin surge may extend as policy tailwinds grow: Owen Lau

Owen Lau, a financial technology and crypto analyst, said the current rally “has legs,” pointing to a combination of regulatory progress in the United States and growing integration between traditional finance and digital assets.

Bitcoin and the broader crypto market have staged a strong rebound in recent days, with the leading cryptocurrency climbing above the $73,000 level and driving gains across altcoins. The rally follows renewed inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and a wave of short liquidations that helped accelerate price momentum.

Advertisement

According to Lau, a key factor supporting the rally is the shifting policy landscape in Washington. Recent discussions around crypto market structure legislation and stablecoin regulation have raised expectations that the United States could soon provide clearer rules for the industry.

Improved regulatory clarity has long been viewed as a catalyst for institutional adoption, as major financial firms often require clearer compliance frameworks before expanding exposure to digital assets.

Owen Lau also highlighted the growing involvement of traditional financial institutions in the crypto ecosystem, ranging from asset managers offering spot Bitcoin ETFs to banks exploring digital asset services. These developments, he said, are gradually embedding cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial markets.

Advertisement

Institutional demand has already been visible through sustained ETF inflows, which have become one of the most significant drivers of Bitcoin price movements over the past year.

While volatility remains a defining feature of the crypto market, Lau suggested that the combination of regulatory progress, institutional demand and expanding market infrastructure could support continued upside.

If these trends persist, analysts say the current rally could represent more than just a short-term rebound, potentially marking the early stages of a broader market recovery.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Crypto World

Ethereum price prediction: $2,500 in focus as OI spike amid Vitalik’s calls for scaling

Published

on

Ethereum price rebounds
Ethereum price rebounds
  • Ethereum rally above $2,100 follows a sharp spike in open interest.
  • A break above the resistance at $2,175 could open the path toward $2,500.
  • Large ETH withdrawals from exchanges point to tightening supply.

Ethereum has climbed above the $2,100 after a strong daily rally that pushed the asset higher amid renewed interest in derivatives markets.

The move follows a period of consolidation that had kept the price trapped near the $2,000 level for several sessions.

The surge has now placed the $2,500 region firmly on the radar of short-term traders.

At the same time, comments from Vitalik Buterin about the future direction of the network have sparked fresh discussion across the ecosystem.

Open interest spike signals renewed trader activity

One of the strongest signals behind the recent price jump is the sharp rise in derivatives market activity.

Advertisement

Open interest (OI) in Ethereum futures has climbed significantly in recent weeks as traders increase their exposure to the asset.

The open interest reflects the total number of active futures contracts and often rises when new money enters the market.

The latest spike indicates that traders are positioning for larger price swings in the coming sessions.

Besides the increase in open interest, short liquidations also played a key role in the rally that pushed Ethereum above $2,100.

Advertisement

When bearish traders are forced to close positions, they must buy back the asset, which can quickly accelerate upward momentum.

This chain reaction tends to create sudden bursts of volatility that drive prices higher within a short time frame.

However, derivatives data still shows mixed sentiment among traders, with funding rates shifting between positive and negative levels, suggesting that the market remains divided on the next direction.

Ethereum supply tightens as investors withdraw coins

Another factor supporting the recent recovery is a notable decline in the amount of Ethereum held on centralised exchanges.

Advertisement

According to data obtained from CryptoQuant, Large amounts of ETH have been moved away from trading platforms over the past month.

Ethereum Exchange Outflow
Source: CryptoQuant

These withdrawals from crypto exchanges often indicate that investors intend to hold their assets for a longer period rather than sell them immediately.

When coins leave exchanges, the amount available for instant trading becomes smaller.

This shift can create tighter supply conditions, especially if demand begins to increase at the same time.

On-chain data also shows that large investors have continued to accumulate Ethereum during recent market weakness.

Advertisement

This trend suggests that some market participants view current prices as attractive entry levels.

Such accumulation can help stabilise the market during periods of volatility.

Ethereum technical analysis place $2,500 in focus

From a technical perspective, Ethereum’s price is currently trading between key support and resistance zones.

The $2,023 region has emerged as an important short-term support level based on recent price movements.

Advertisement

A break below that zone could expose the market to further downside toward the $1,901 support area.

On the upside, the $2,175 level has repeatedly acted as immediate resistance.

A sustained move above this barrier could open the door for a rally toward the next resistance near $2,396.

If buying pressure remains strong, the market may then shift its focus toward the $2,525 region.

Advertisement

This level sits close to the psychological $2,500 mark that many traders are watching.

A decisive breakout above this area would signal a stronger bullish trend forming in the short term.

Vitalik Buterin says, “Ethereum needs to scale”

Beyond the price charts, discussion around Ethereum’s long-term direction has intensified following recent comments from Vitalik Buterin.

The Ethereum co-founder has emphasised the importance of developing what he described as “sanctuary” technology within the ecosystem.

Advertisement

This concept centres on strengthening decentralisation and ensuring that Ethereum remains a secure and neutral platform.

Buterin also highlighted concerns that some scaling solutions are drifting away from Ethereum’s core security model.

His remarks have sparked debate about how the network should evolve as demand continues to grow.

Some observers believe these discussions could influence how developers approach future upgrades and scaling strategies.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Crypto World

Crypto Scams Using ‘Powerful’ iPhone Exploit Kit: Google

Published

on

Crypto Scams Using ‘Powerful’ iPhone Exploit Kit: Google

Threat researchers at Google say they have uncovered a new exploit kit targeting Apple iPhone users, aimed at stealing crypto wallet seed phrases. 

The kit, named “Coruna” by its developers, targets iPhones running iOS versions 13.0 up to 17.2.1. It has “five full iOS exploit chains and a total of 23 exploits,” including ones that were previously unknown to the public, the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) said in a report on Wednesday.

The group said it first discovered the kit in February 2025 and has since tracked its use by a suspected Russian espionage group against Ukrainians, and later on fake Chinese crypto websites that aim to steal crypto.

GTIG said the kit doesn’t work with the latest version of iOS and urged iPhone users to update their devices to the latest software version. If that isn’t possible, users should put the phone in “Lockdown Mode,” which Apple says can counter sophisticated attacks.

Advertisement

Kit targets crypto via fake websites

GTIG said it came across parts of an iOS exploit in February 2025 in which a customer of a surveillance company used JavaScript to fingerprint the device to deliver the appropriate exploit.

Later that year, it found the same JavaScript framework hidden on multiple compromised Ukrainian websites that was “only delivered to selected iPhone users from a specific geolocation.”

Source: Mandiant

GTIG said it then found the same framework in December “on a very large set of fake Chinese websites mostly related to finance,” including one that spoofed the crypto exchange WEEX.

When a user accesses the websites with an iOS device, the framework delivers the exploit kit and hunts for financial information, including analyzing texts containing seed phrases and keywords such as “backup phrase” or “bank account.”

Related: ‘ClickFix’ hackers pose as VCs, hijack QuickLens in latest crypto attacks

Advertisement

The kit also seeks out popular crypto apps, including Uniswap and MetaMask, to extract crypto or sensitive information.

Coruna’s US intelligence origins debated

GTIG did not name the customer of the surveillance company from which the exploit kit is said to have originated, but the mobile security company iVerify told WIRED it could have been built or bought by the US government.