A significant data breach has emerged, impacting approximately 50,000 users of the crypto tax platform Waltio, based in France. This incident was reported by Le Parisien, detailing how the notorious hacker group known as “Shiny Hunters” contacted Waltio with a ransom demand. To substantiate their claim, the hackers shared samples from the compromised database, which included email addresses and cryptocurrency balance details for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year.
While the breach did not expose banking information, tax filings, or administrative identification data, it represents a serious operational security (OpSec) failure for many French investors who rely on Waltio”s services to manage capital gains taxes and track portfolio performance. Waltio currently serves a user base of around 150,000 individuals, making this breach particularly alarming as it affects nearly a third of its clientele.
In response to the attack, Romain Chilly, the legal counsel for Waltio, promptly filed a complaint with the J3 section of the Paris prosecutor”s office, which is specifically tasked with addressing cybercrime. The charges filed include attempted extortion and unauthorized access to an automated data processing system.
The fallout from this breach is palpable across the French cryptocurrency community, amplifying existing anxieties about security and safety in the digital asset space. Reports indicate that the National Cyber Unit of the Gendarmerie is actively investigating a disturbing trend of violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders. This includes a series of high-profile “crypto-kidnappings” and home invasions over the past year.
One of the most notable incidents was the abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland, highlighting the extreme risk that digital asset holders face. Recent statistics reveal that police have documented approximately ten home invasions targeting seemingly average individuals who exhibit no obvious signs of wealth. Investigators are increasingly concerned that incidents like the Waltio breach could be connected to these physical attacks, suggesting a growing threat landscape for cryptocurrency investors.
In summary, the breach at Waltio underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures within the cryptocurrency sector, particularly as the risks associated with owning and managing digital assets continue to escalate. As the investigation unfolds, both users and the broader crypto community remain on high alert.
