In a shocking turn of events, an unidentified hacker successfully drained $27 million worth of Tether (USDT) from a cryptocurrency wallet connected to Binance’s deployer address. The exploit, initiated on November 11, saw the attacker swiftly converting the stolen stablecoins into ether (ETH) and subsequently routing them through noncustodial exchanges FixedFloat and ChangeNow before converting to bitcoin (BTC) using the THORChain bridge. The attacker’s savvy move to avoid freezing by Tether’s issuer added complexity to the situation. Speculation arose, suggesting someone with insider knowledge of Binance’s operations might be behind the attack.
The attacked wallet had received $26 million from another Binance hot wallet named “Binance 16” on November 5, further fueling theories about potential insider involvement. Despite no official confirmation or denial from Binance at the time of writing, a Binance spokesperson acknowledged that their security team was actively investigating the exploit.
Amidst the unfolding drama, the article delves into a broader issue in the crypto space: taxation. With the hacker and victim still unknown, the incident highlights the challenges hack victims face, particularly concerning tax implications. The piece draws attention to recent major breaches, such as Poloniex’s $114 million hack, and the complexities surrounding tax filings for affected users. The U.S. tax code’s stringent criteria for claiming losses resulting from theft in the crypto world are discussed, emphasizing the difficulty faced by victims seeking restitution.
This also raises questions about how hack victims should categorize restitution, especially if an exchange opts for reimbursement in tokens. The challenges of current tax policies for average crypto users are underscored, citing the example of the Binance hacker’s transactions triggering multiple taxable events under U.S. law.
In conclusion, the hack serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address and streamline taxation policies in the crypto industry. The ongoing investigations into the Binance wallet hack highlight not only the vulnerabilities within major exchanges but also the urgent necessity for comprehensive and clear tax guidelines for individuals and companies affected by such exploits.
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Source: Coindesk
