Hackers extort French crypto firm Waltio after stealing user data

Hackers have targeted Waltio, a French cryptocurrency accounting platform, demanding a ransom after stealing emails and tax reports from 50,000 customers. The company reported the incident on January 21, 2026, stating that no passwords or highly sensitive data were compromised. French authorities are now investigating the sophisticated cyberattack.

On January 21, 2026, Waltio, a platform that helps users calculate and report digital asset capital gains for tax purposes, became the target of an attempted extortion following a sophisticated cyberattack. The company disclosed that hackers accessed certain internal data, including customer emails and gains and losses from 2024 tax reports, affecting around 50,000 users according to French daily Le Parisien.

Waltio's CEO, Pierre Morizot, emphasized in a statement that the breach did not involve passwords or other critical customer information. However, he warned of potential follow-up risks, such as phishing or social engineering scams. “Some attackers may use contextual elements (e.g. the existence of a tax report or aggregated information) to appear credible,” Morizot said, highlighting how cybercriminals might impersonate trusted contacts to extract wallet keys or other details to steal funds.

The company promptly filed a complaint with French authorities for attempted extortion and violation of an automated data processing system. The cybercrime unit of France’s public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident.

Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp drew attention to the breach on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “more terrible news for French cryptocurrency users.” This event adds to a string of high-profile crypto-related crimes in France, including the 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his wife, who were held for 24 hours.

Waltio advised customers to remain vigilant against unsolicited communications that could lead to further exploitation.

Verwandte Artikel

Police raid and arrests in a €600 million cryptocurrency scam bust across Europe, showing seized assets and suspects.
Bild generiert von KI

Nine arrested in Europe over €600 million crypto scam

Von KI berichtet Bild generiert von KI

European authorities have arrested nine suspects in a multinational operation targeting a cryptocurrency investment fraud network that stole at least €600 million from victims. The late October sweep involved agencies from several countries and resulted in the seizure of cash, cryptocurrency, and luxury items. Victims were lured through deceptive online tactics but could not recover their funds.

A leaked French police report reveals that overseas criminal masterminds are behind many recent cryptocurrency-related kidnappings in France. Between July 2023 and the end of 2025, authorities recorded 40 such organized cases, with more than half targeting crypto holders or sector workers. Victims, mostly young men flaunting their wealth online, face rising threats coordinated through local recruiters.

Von KI berichtet

After a record 2025 for wrench attacks on cryptocurrency holders, as previously analyzed, experts forecast further increases in 2026. These physical coercions to steal digital assets are underreported amid law enforcement challenges and surging crypto adoption, warns TRM Labs.

Physical assaults known as wrench attacks against cryptocurrency holders are increasing in number and severity, according to recent analyses. These incidents correlate with fluctuations in crypto market values, prompting calls for enhanced personal security measures. While overall risks to individual holders may be decreasing, the trend highlights vulnerabilities in self-custody practices.

Von KI berichtet

South Korean authorities accidentally revealed the recovery phrase for a cryptocurrency wallet in a press release, leading to the theft of nearly $5 million in seized assets. The National Tax Service issued an apology and launched an investigation into the breach. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in securing digital currencies by law enforcement.

Ein 22-jähriger Mann aus Limoges, zuvor wegen ähnlicher Taten verurteilt, wurde im Zusammenhang mit dem Cyberangriff vergangene Woche auf die Server des Innenministeriums festgenommen, bei dem vertrauliche Aufzeichnungen aus den TAJ- und FPR-Datenbanken kompromittiert wurden. Innenminister Laurent Nuñez bezeichnete den Einbruch als 'sehr schwerwiegend' und ordnete Sicherheitsverbesserungen an, einschließlich Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung.

Von KI berichtet

Spanish authorities have arrested five individuals accused of murdering a man and kidnapping his partner during a cryptocurrency theft in southern Spain. The incident occurred in April, leading to the man's death and the woman's eventual release. Four others face charges in Denmark for related offenses.

Sonntag, 08. Februar 2026, 16:39 Uhr

Two teens arrested in alleged $66 million crypto theft attempt

Samstag, 17. Januar 2026, 01:38 Uhr

Crypto investor loses $282 million in Trezor wallet scam

Dienstag, 06. Januar 2026, 19:23 Uhr

Kontigo suffers $341,000 stablecoin theft in cyberattack

Donnerstag, 01. Januar 2026, 18:36 Uhr

Losses from crypto hacks drop 60% in December

Sonntag, 28. Dezember 2025, 03:51 Uhr

Russian Networks Linked to Laundering of LastPass Breach's $35M in Stolen Crypto

Donnerstag, 25. Dezember 2025, 10:53 Uhr

LastPass 2022 breach enables years of cryptocurrency thefts

Mittwoch, 24. Dezember 2025, 06:19 Uhr

Crypto heists reach record $2.7 billion in 2025

Dienstag, 16. Dezember 2025, 06:25 Uhr

Schwerer Cyberangriff auf das Innenministerium Frankreichs

Sonntag, 14. Dezember 2025, 05:21 Uhr

Update: Spanish Police Dismantle Transnational Crypto 'Wrench Attack' Ring

Mittwoch, 10. Dezember 2025, 08:16 Uhr

Crypto's new rich seek privacy amid extortion threats

 

 

 

Diese Website verwendet Cookies

Wir verwenden Cookies für Analysen, um unsere Website zu verbessern. Lesen Sie unsere Datenschutzrichtlinie für weitere Informationen.
Ablehnen