Israeli Hackers Destroy Over $80 Million in Stolen BTC, ETH, and DOGE in Attack on Iranian Exchange Nobitex.
Amid an increasingly worrisome escalation between Israel and Iran, the conflict is moving beyond traditional battlefields. Cryptocurrencies and hacking operations are becoming increasingly central tools in a kind of cyber warfare between the two countries. The recent cyber attack on Nobitex , Iran’s largest crypto exchange, has revealed just how deeply intertwined digital finance and geopolitics are in the Middle East.
Nobitex Under Attack: $81 Million Stolen
Nobitex has announced that it has been the victim of a major cyber attack, resulting in the loss of over $81 million in digital assets. According to the official statement published on X, the platform detected unauthorized access to a hot wallet and parts of its reporting infrastructure.
Although the company reassured users about the safety of funds stored in cold storage, the incident raised questions about the vulnerability of the Iranian crypto system. At the moment, Nobitex reassured investors, stressing that the situation is now “under control”.
Initial technical reconstructions, provided by blockchain analyst ZachXBT , indicate that the theft affected users active on the Tron network and on EVM- compatible blockchains , fueling suspicions of a sophisticated and targeted attack.
The signature of Gonjeshke Darande
The operation was claimed by Gonjeshke Darande – also known as Predatory Sparrow – a hacker group believed to have ties to pro-Israel circles and already known for previous operations against Iranian infrastructure. In a post published on their X channel, the group stated:
“We, Gonjeshke Darande, conducted cyber attacks against Nobitex.”
Hackers accuse Nobitex of being “a key tool of the Iranian regime to finance terrorism and violate sanctions” . In their statement, they claim that the platform plays a strategic role in the Islamic Republic’s financial and military operations. They also decided to publish the exchange’s internal source code and other sensitive data. A direct warning to users: “those who keep funds on the platform may see them compromised”.
Cryptocurrencies as a Tool of War
The attack on Nobitex is an emblematic episode of the new dimension of the Israeli-Iranian conflict: a war also fought on the digital and financial front . Iran has long relied on cryptocurrencies to evade international sanctions , facilitate trade and support external operations . In this context, attacking a crypto infrastructure like Nobitex means damaging not only the private economy but, potentially, also the government's parallel financial channels.
Israel, which has been battling Iranian influence in the region for years, has also ramped up its cyber arsenal, striking strategic targets in response to Tehran’s military and nuclear threats. The involvement of groups like Predatory Sparrow suggests that digital attacks could become more frequent and destructive.
The Silence (and Denial) of Diplomacy
Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, uncertainty reigns. After some rumors that American President Donald Trump would have attempted to mediate between the two nations, Trump himself has firmly denied it:
“I have not contacted Iran for ‘peace talks’ in any way, shape or form. This is just another HIGHLY INVENTED FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to find me.”
The statement highlights how, at least for now, there is no active diplomatic channel to defuse tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Indeed, Trump speaks bluntly to Iranian leaders, “suggesting” unconditional surrender as the only solution…
And in the meantime, while negotiations for a peace agreement languish, the war continues. Even with crypto hacking.
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