Crypto hacks surge over 130% in Q1 2025
Raj Gokal, co-founder of the Solana blockchain, has become the target of a serious cyberattack. Hackers published his personal identification documents on the compromised Instagram account of rapper Migos. The leak appears to be tied to an unsuccessful extortion attempt — reportedly demanding over $4.3 million.
🔐 Extortion Message: “You Should Have Paid the 40 BTC”
Circulating online are photos of Gokal and his wife, alongside their IDs and passports — resembling typical KYC (Know Your Customer) data used on regulated crypto platforms.
The sensitive documents were shared on the official Instagram page of rapper Migos, which was apparently hacked as well. A caption under one of the posts read: “You should have paid the 40 BTC” — a statement that led many to speculate the leak followed a failed ransom attempt.
At current Bitcoin prices, that would equate to a ransom demand of over $4.3 million. Instagram has since removed the post.
🧠 Social Engineering Suspected
Renowned Web3 investigator ZachXBT believes the attack was a result of social engineering — where cybercriminals tricked their way into accessing Gokal’s personal accounts and data.
“Raj’s accounts were likely compromised and used in an extortion attempt. Since he didn’t pay, the attackers trolled him by leaking the data through Migos’ Instagram,” said ZachXBT.
Interestingly, a week before the incident, Gokal had already warned his followers on X that someone was trying to access his email and social media accounts.
📈 Crypto Hacks in 2025: A Dangerous Spike
This attack is just one in a wave of escalating crypto hacks in 2025.
🔹 Q1 2025: According to security firm PeckShield, there were over 60 major hacking incidents, resulting in $1.63 billion in losses — a 131% increase from $706 million in Q1 2024.
🔹 The largest breach targeted Bybit, while Q2 saw the Cetus Protocol on the Sui network lose over $223 million.
🔹 Following the Coinbase data breach confirmed on May 15, reported compensation claims could exceed $400 million — further highlighting that DeFi and centralized platforms remain prime targets.
⚠️ A Call for Caution
With the rising number of cyberattacks, the need for increased vigilance is critical — especially when dealing with unknown links or individuals posing as support staff from crypto exchanges.
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