Cryptojacking schemes continue to proliferate, with security researchers recently uncovering a massive wave of such attacks specifically targeting unpatched MikroTik routers to spread Monero-mining malware to every web page that a user may visit using the vulnerable router. The campaigns compromised more than 210,000 routers in total, with 183,700 in Brazil alone. Tokyo-based security firm Trend Micro discovered an on-demand malware business on the dark web at a price of $25,000, which allows users to exploit bitcoin ATM vulnerabilities to pilfer the bitcoin equivalents of up to 6,750 in U.S. dollars, euros or pounds.
The Wall Street Journal recently published the results of a study that determined that so-called "pump and dump" groups have generated more than $825 million in trading activity over the past six months by artificially increasing the price of certain cryptocurrencies to sell them at a profit. And researchers studying Twitter bots have uncovered a significant number of bots being used to entice users to give away small amounts of cryptocurrencies based on false promises of a larger payout in the same currency. The research team identified one botnet consisting of more than 15,000 bots that operated on a structure where some bots spoof legitimate cryptocurrency accounts and other bots "like" the fraudulently generated tweets.
A recent Bloomberg article stated that the SEC has begun scrutinizing brokerages that deal in cryptocurrencies, seeking information about fees generated from trading, financing and initial coin offerings. According to another report, FinCEN intends to go after foreign crypto exchanges doing business in the U.S. that do not comply with anti-money laundering rules. An additional report released this week discussed strategies for how cryptocurrency exchanges can avoid regulatory scrutiny by implementing the right policies and procedures, designated compliance roles, board oversight, and other measures. On Aug. 1, a bitcoin trader was forced to forfeit 81 bitcoins and was sentenced to 41 months in prison for money laundering.
For further reading, please see:
- Hackers Infect Over 200,000 MikroTik Routers With Crypto Mining Malware
- Report: Ready-to-Use Malware for Bitcoin ATMs Found for Sale Online
- Some Traders Are Talking Up Cryptocurrencies, Then Dumping Them, Costing Others Millions
- WSJ: Organized Crypto 'Trading Groups' Manipulated Markets to Make $825 Million in 2018
- Researchers Discover Huge Crypto Scam Botnet on Twitter
- High-Volume Crypto Exchanges Pose Anti-Money Laundering Hurdles
- Contributor Report: The Top 20 ways for U.S. Crypto Exchangers to Avoid Unwanted Federal Scrutiny
- Brokers' Cryptocurrency Deals Are Focus of SEC Review
- US Court Seizes 81 BTC, Sends Bitcoin Trader to Jail for 41 Months for Money Laundering
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