Kraken is actively being extorted by criminals threatening to release the top crypto exchange’s internal data

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is being extorted by criminals who are threatening to release internal data after two support staff members improperly accessed limited customer information. While Kraken assures that its core systems and user funds were never at risk, approximately 2,000 accounts, or 0.02% of clients, may have had their data viewed. This incident highlights a growing concern for crypto platforms, where insider access to support data can be weaponized against users, rather than direct infrastructure breaches. The criminals are demanding payment, threatening to leak videos and internal systems information. Kraken is collaborating with law enforcement to investigate, noting that such insider recruitment efforts are affecting other sectors as well. The exchange has notified affected users and terminated access, and is working to identify those responsible. The incident underscores the vulnerability of the support layer in crypto exchanges and the potential for social engineering attacks, even when core systems remain secure. While Bitcoin's market reaction has been contained, the incident could lead to increased friction and slower user experiences as exchanges implement stricter access controls.

(Source：CryptoSlate)