Crypto Theft

Paul Chowles, a former officer with Britain's National Crime Agency, was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for stealing 50 bitcoin from Thomas White, operator of the Silk Road 2.0 dark web marketplace. The bitcoin, initially worth £60,000 in 2017, has since appreciated to over £4 million. Chowles concealed the theft using a cryptocurrency mixing service and was caught after evidence uncovered his involvement. This case highlights the risks and complexities of cryptocurrency crime investigations.

Veer Chetal, aged 19, has admitted guilt in a massive $245 million bitcoin theft scheme involving social engineering scams. Coordinating with co-defendants, he stole thousands of bitcoins and is now cooperating with federal investigators amid a broader $260 million crypto theft racketeering case.

The hacker group Gonjeshke Darande claimed responsibility for a $90 million theft from Nobitex, Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange. The stolen assets were transferred and burned with political messages against Iran's Revolutionary Guard, highlighting political motives amid rising regional tensions. Nobitex confirmed the breach and the incident raises concerns over crypto's role amid international sanctions.