Indian police have arrested a former Coinbase customer service agent in Hyderabad over the exchange’s data breach that exposed information from nearly 70,000 usersIndian police have arrested a former Coinbase customer service agent in Hyderabad over the exchange’s data breach that exposed information from nearly 70,000 users

Coinbase Data Breach Fallout Reaches India as Insider Arrested

  • Police in India arrested a former worker involved in a customer data theft and a 20-million-dollar ransom demand.
  • Criminals bribed support staff to steal info from 70,000 users but Coinbase refused to pay and said no funds were lost.
  • The breach was linked to outside contractors and could cost the company up to 400 million dollars to fix.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said an ex-employee has been arrested in India in connection with a customer-data theft that led to a US$20 million (AU$29 million) ransom demand.

Armstrong credited Hyderabad Police for the arrest in a post on X on Friday, stating “We have zero tolerance for bad behavior and will continue to work with law enforcement to bring bad actors to justice”.

Coinbase disclosed in May that criminals bribed some customer support agents to access and share customer information, including home addresses, banking details and user ID photos. The attackers later demanded payment for the data’s return, but Coinbase said it refused to pay. 

The exchange estimated the breach could cost up to US$400 million (AU$610 million) to remediate, reflecting expenses such as customer support, investigation, and security measures. 

A legal filing cited in the aftermath said nearly 70,000 users had data compromised in December, though the company said no customer funds were stolen in the incident and that private keys were not compromised.

The episode has drawn scrutiny to Coinbase’s internal controls around hiring and oversight for support roles, because the breach relied on insider access rather than a direct intrusion into Coinbase’s core systems. 

Related: Strategy Boosts Cash to $2.19bn, Fortifying Bitcoin Bet Through Crypto Winter

Breach Linked to TaskUs Agents 

Coinbase’s customer-data breach has been linked to support agents working for TaskUs, a Texas-based outsourcing firm with operations in India, according to a Fortune investigation. 

TaskUs told Fortune it identified two employees who it said were “recruited by a much broader, coordinated criminal campaign against [Coinbase]” that also affected other service providers supporting the exchange.

The arrest also comes as Coinbase-related fraud cases draw increased attention. One week earlier, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office indicted Ronald Spektor, 23, on 31 counts for allegedly stealing US$16 million (AU$24.4 million) from around 100 Coinbase users through a separate phishing scheme.

Read more: Brazil’s Crypto Market Grows Up: Investment Volumes Jump 43% in 2025

The post Coinbase Data Breach Fallout Reaches India as Insider Arrested appeared first on Crypto News Australia.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

The post Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with a recent controversy surrounding a bold OpenVPP partnership claim. This week, OpenVPP (OVPP) announced what it presented as a significant collaboration with the U.S. government in the innovative field of energy tokenization. However, this claim quickly drew the sharp eye of on-chain analyst ZachXBT, who highlighted a swift and official rebuttal that has sent ripples through the digital asset community. What Sparked the OpenVPP Partnership Claim Controversy? The core of the issue revolves around OpenVPP’s assertion of a U.S. government partnership. This kind of collaboration would typically be a monumental endorsement for any private cryptocurrency project, especially given the current regulatory climate. Such a partnership could signify a new era of mainstream adoption and legitimacy for energy tokenization initiatives. OpenVPP initially claimed cooperation with the U.S. government. This alleged partnership was said to be in the domain of energy tokenization. The announcement generated considerable interest and discussion online. ZachXBT, known for his diligent on-chain investigations, was quick to flag the development. He brought attention to the fact that U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce had directly addressed the OpenVPP partnership claim. Her response, delivered within hours, was unequivocal and starkly contradicted OpenVPP’s narrative. How Did Regulatory Authorities Respond to the OpenVPP Partnership Claim? Commissioner Hester Peirce’s statement was a crucial turning point in this unfolding story. She clearly stated that the SEC, as an agency, does not engage in partnerships with private cryptocurrency projects. This response effectively dismantled the credibility of OpenVPP’s initial announcement regarding their supposed government collaboration. Peirce’s swift clarification underscores a fundamental principle of regulatory bodies: maintaining impartiality and avoiding endorsements of private entities. Her statement serves as a vital reminder to the crypto community about the official stance of government agencies concerning private ventures. Moreover, ZachXBT’s analysis…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:13
XRP Holds $1.88 Fibonacci Support as 3-Day Chart Signals Bullish Continuation

XRP Holds $1.88 Fibonacci Support as 3-Day Chart Signals Bullish Continuation

XRP is once again drawing attention on higher timeframes as its 3-day chart begins to mirror past bullish phases. Market observers are closely watching how the
Share
Tronweekly2026/01/11 21:30
Russians ask government hotlines whether pensions are paid in crypto

Russians ask government hotlines whether pensions are paid in crypto

                                                                               Crypto-related questions about pension payments are reaching Russia’s Social 
Share
Coinstats2026/01/11 20:13