SecurityAlert

#SecurityAlert
Criminals are using in-person crypto events to launch phishing campaigns and impersonation scams, Kraken warns.
By now, it’s no secret that crypto is becoming mainstream, and with it, a bigger target. From Dubai’s skyline to Singapore’s high-tech halls, crypto conferences have exploded in size and scope. But amid the panels and pitches, Kraken‘s chief security officer Nick Percoco warns of a troubling pattern: people in the space may be letting their guard down at the exact moment they should be more alert.
“Personal security hygiene at crypto conferences has taken a back seat,” Percoco wrote in a blog post. His team at Kraken has been quietly observing — and what they’ve seen is hard to ignore.
At recent events, Kraken staff spotted unattended laptops with wallet access left open on expo tables, phones buzzing with wallet notifications while their owners chatted nearby. “If you’re in crypto, your digital device is not just a phone or a laptop,” Percoco reminds, adding that “it’s a vault.”
In a commentary for crypto.news, Percoco explained that phishing remains the most prevalent and effective scam at conferences — not because it’s technically sophisticated, but because of how easily it blends in. “The nature of these events – including constant networking, QR code scanning, and information sharing – creates ideal conditions for scammers to blend in and launch attacks with minimal effort,” he said.
“By exploiting common conference behaviors, attackers can easily distribute malicious links or fake scheduling invites under the guise of professional follow-ups. It’s a low-friction tactic that requires little technical sophistication but can yield significant access and financial rewards if successful.”-Nick Percoco
Conferences now hot targets
Crypto conferences have always been social hubs, but now they’re also a goldmine of unguarded intel. Percoco shared one scene: a group of conference-goers openly discussing high-value trades on a public sidewalk — lanyards displaying their names and companies in plain view.
Even if you don’t think anyone’s listening, someone probably is. Public Wi-Fi or QR codes can easily be hijacked. Percoco says it’s not paranoia — it’s pattern recognition. The suggestion: use burner wallets with minimal funds, and never scan a QR code you can’t verify.
“It only takes a single sticker swap for a bad actor to replace a legitimate QR code on a marketing material with a fake one, putting dozens (if not hundreds) of attendees at risk.” -Nick Percoco
The threats aren’t theoretical anymore. In France, a series of violent attacks on crypto professionals has underscored the very real danger of being too visible in this space.
In January, David Balland — co-founder of Ledger, a company known for secure crypto wallets — was kidnapped at gunpoint from his home. His captors severed his finger and sent it to his business partner as proof, demanding a €10 million ransom in crypto. His wife was later found tied in the trunk of a car. Both survived, but the ordeal left the community shaken.
The attackers? Young, organized, and tech-savvy, and reportedly familiar with Balland’s holdings and business ties.
It’s not an isolated case. Other attacks in France have also targeted crypto holders, sometimes extending threats to their families. These are not online scams. These are physical, deliberate abductions. The old “don’t tell people you’re in crypto” rule just got a lot more literal.
Basic mistakes, big consequences
Percoco’s biggest concern isn’t necessarily complex hacks. It’s basic situational awareness. Crypto folks know how to use cold storage. But when it comes to not leaving a MacBook Pro unlocked in a crowded room? Apparently not so much.
“In today’s high-stakes environment, crypto complacency isn’t just a personal risk, it’s a threat to our broader movement.” -Nick Percoco
That sentiment echoes what a16z crypto has also been telling its community for months if not years: in web3, the perimeter is you. A data breach — even of your phone number — can snowball into full-blown identity theft.
Every piece of information attackers glean “makes it easier for and likelier that they will acquire more,” wrote in a blog post Matt Gleason, a security engineer for a16z crypto. Once your personal data is out there, it’s a waiting game. Gleason advises freezing credit at credit bureaus, enabling multi-factor authentication with hardware keys like YubiKey, and locking down sensitive apps behind Face ID. SIM protection with mobile carrier is also a must.
On top of that, Gleason suggests to rethink passwords. Use a manager, create a vault and don’t reuse passwords. And watch for red flags like unsolicited calls or unexpected login notifications. The goal isn’t just to react — it’s to make yourself a harder target.
Culture shift might be needed
Back on the conference floor, Percoco urged attendees to adopt a more security-conscious mindset. He particularly emphasized the importance of verifying identities, avoiding sensitive discussions in public areas, keeping an eye on personal belongings, and steering clear of free charging stations, which could potentially install malware through a method known as “juice jacking.”
According to Percoco, attackers don’t operate at random. They often assess visible details like names and company affiliations on lanyards to quickly identify high-value targets such as developers, DAO contributors, or startup teams. Once a target is chosen, they may receive phishing links disguised as calendar invites or Zoom calls, designed to establish a foothold on the victim’s device. As Percoco says, the first step “can be all it takes to breach a device and move laterally from there.”
This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about catching up with reality. As the crypto industry gains legitimacy, it’s also gaining enemies — from state-sponsored hackers to opportunistic criminals. Security culture has to evolve with it.
Percoco also believes there’s no silver bullet for eliminating scammers from industry events entirely. But he pointed out that conferences already collect significant attendee data — including names, emails, and phone numbers — for legitimate logistical purposes. Under the wrong circumstances, that same data “can be leveraged by malicious actors under the right circumstances,” he adds.
A16z crypto emphasizes that cybersecurity is “no longer optional,” adding forward that it has become a “necessity.”

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Binance is actively enhancing its security, leading to stricter enforcement against suspicious activities. Many users are facing account restrictions or bans, sometimes without prior notice. Here’s how you can safeguard your account and ensure uninterrupted access:
✅ Verify Your Identity (KYC): Completing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is crucial. It builds trust with the platform and confirms you're a legitimate user.
🚫 Avoid Unauthorized VPNs: Using VPNs to access Binance from regions where it's restricted or operating without proper authorization can flag your account and trigger a ban.
👤 Stick to One Account: Creating or operating multiple accounts under your identity is a major red flag and can result in permanent suspension.
📜 Adhere to Platform Rules: Engage only in legal and ethical trading practices. Any involvement in illicit or "shady" activities will lead to consequences.
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Play smart, trade securely, and keep your Binance access intact! 🔐✨
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#Tradersleague

Binance is actively enhancing its security, leading to stricter enforcement against suspicious activities. Many users are facing account restrictions or bans, sometimes without prior notice. Here’s how you can safeguard your account and ensure uninterrupted access:
✅ Verify Your Identity (KYC): Completing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is crucial. It builds trust with the platform and confirms you're a legitimate user.
🚫 Avoid Unauthorized VPNs: Using VPNs to access Binance from regions where it's restricted or operating without proper authorization can flag your account and trigger a ban.
👤 Stick to One Account: Creating or operating multiple accounts under your identity is a major red flag and can result in permanent suspension.
📜 Adhere to Platform Rules: Engage only in legal and ethical trading practices. Any involvement in illicit or "shady" activities will lead to consequences.
🌍 Understand Regional Laws: Binance operates in compliance with local regulations. Always ensure your trading activities and access methods align with the laws of your specific region.
Play smart, trade securely, and keep your Binance access intact! 🔐✨
#BinanceAlphaAlert #SecurityAlert

French authorities have formally charged 25 individuals, including some as young as 16 years old, in connection with a series of attempted kidnappings targeting individuals in the crypto industry and their families. Investigators uncovered a coordinated plot designed to extort access to digital wealth through violence.

🔍 Crypto Community and Families Targeted
According to local media, suspects aged 16 to 23 were allegedly part of a gang that targeted crypto-affiliated individuals. The attacks often involved stolen vehicles and fake courier uniforms to conceal their intentions.

🏙️ Attack in Central Paris: CEO’s Family Targeted
The central case of the indictment involves a May 13 kidnapping attempt in Paris’ 11th district, where masked assailants attacked the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of crypto platform Paymium. The attack happened in broad daylight and was caught on video, which later spread online.
Fortunately, all three victims sustained only minor injuries. Authorities believe this incident was part of a larger operation, which included another failed attempt the previous day and a separate plot near Nantes shortly after.

🕵️‍♂️ Elite Unit Leads Raid: Most Suspects in Custody
Following a large-scale police operation on May 27, led by the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme – France’s anti-gang unit – 25 individuals were arrested.

🔹 18 remain in custody,

🔹 4 are under judicial supervision,

🔹 and 3 await court hearings.
The suspects reportedly come from diverse backgrounds, including Paris, Châtellerault, Senegal, Angola, and Russia.
Some defense attorneys described the accused as vulnerable youths, lured into crime by promises of fast money, without understanding the severity of their actions.

💻 Crypto in the Crosshairs of Organized Crime
French officials believe the operation may be linked to a well-structured criminal network that recruits perpetrators via social media for high-risk kidnappings. Investigators claim those arrested appear to be foot soldiers and logistics handlers, while the masterminds are still at large.

🛡️ Government Responds: Crypto Security Under Review
France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responded by meeting with crypto industry stakeholders in May, discussing enhanced safety protocols for individuals active in the digital asset space.

#CryptoCrime , #DigitalAssets , #CyberSecurity , #SecurityAlert , #CryptoNewss

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