2026-01-17 04:28:57

A major security breach hit the crypto market on January 10 around 23:00 UTC. Through sophisticated social engineering tactics, attackers compromised a hardware wallet and made off with over $282 million in combined LTC and BTC holdings. The stolen assets were then rapidly funneled through multiple instant exchange platforms—a classic money laundering playbook. The attackers converted the cryptocurrency into Monero, attempting to obscure the transaction trail and break the on-chain forensics. This maneuver temporarily spiked Monero's trading activity across several platforms, leaving market participants wondering about the real scale of fund flows. The incident underscores a critical vulnerability in hardware wallet security: even the most popular cold storage solutions remain susceptible to social engineering when human behavior becomes the weakest link. It's a stark reminder that technical security alone isn't enough—user awareness and operational security practices are equally crucial in protecting digital assets.

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SerumSurfer

· 9h ago

Oh no, it's the same social engineering tricks again. Cold wallets can't escape, it's really outrageous. Is this how hardware wallets are? No matter how expensive, it's useless. 28 billion USD just gone like that, oh my god. Using Monero to launder money, this is an old trick. The human variable is too deadly; no matter how advanced the technology is, it can't withstand it. People are really the biggest bug. Seeing too many of these news stories, I'm numb. It feels like wallets without people are truly secure.

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HorizonHunter

· 9h ago

$280 million just gone, social engineering attacks are really top-notch Hardware wallets are no longer safe? Then what can I trust? It's the same old XMR money laundering, this trick is so worn out Do your own research, everyone. No matter how fancy the wallet, it can't beat a simple phone call

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Ser_APY_2000

· 9h ago

Oh my God, 280 million USD just like that... People really are the biggest security vulnerability. Hardware wallets can't escape social engineering either, no matter how cold it is, it's useless. 28.2 million gone, trying to disappear by converting to Monero? Laughable, on-chain evidence isn't that easy to fudge. I knew it, without operational security awareness, no matter how advanced the technology is, it's just a display. This time, we really need to reflect. Cold wallets are already the ceiling, yet they still fell. It's both social engineering and the old scam of layered exchanges. Why do these ancient money laundering tricks still work so well? Hardware wallets can't save you if you're a fool.

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GamefiHarvester

· 9h ago

Social engineering attacks are really incredible—2.8 billion just gone like that? Even the most secure hardware wallets can't withstand the test of human nature. --- Hardware wallets still need to be cautious; no matter how advanced the technology, it's useless if you're not careful. --- The detail about Monero being pumped is interesting; on-chain detectives are probably going to be busy again. --- I laugh at the idea of cold wallets being hacked—ultimately, it's a human problem. No matter how secure the tools are, they can't prevent self-sabotage. --- 282 million... This case is more unbelievable than a novel. How did they get scammed like this? --- So now we have to worry about wallet security and be careful of social engineering—life is really tough. --- Using Monero for money laundering is an old trick; regulation should have already cracked down on this, right?

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ChainDetective

· 9h ago

Social engineering so powerful? 280 million just gone like that, hardware wallets are not even safe It's the same old Monero money laundering trick, really should investigate the risk control of the exchanges Ultimately, it's a human problem; no matter how advanced the technology, a phone scam can still fool you On-chain tracking this time will be difficult, switching XMR makes you instantly invisible Cold wallets really can't stay cold; in front of social engineering, everything is just paper tigers $282M just disappeared... luckily I didn't store that much in my wallet So what's the safe method now? Offline? Or just rely on the exchange's insurance fund

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0xSunnyDay

· 9h ago

Hardware wallets have also been compromised? Then should I also panic about the coins in my cold wallet... People are ultimately the biggest vulnerability. 282 million just gone, I can't imagine that guy's mindset. Monero got scammed in this wave, innocent bystander. Social engineering is unstoppable, brother, there's nothing we can do. No matter how advanced the technology is, it can't withstand a moment of human stupidity... This incident reminds me that I really need to engrave my seed phrase on a metal plate.

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