Grinex Halts Operations After $15 Million Cyberattack

Grinex, a cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the US and based in Kyrgyzstan, has suspended its operations following a significant cyberattack that resulted in a $15 million theft. The exchange claims that the attack was orchestrated by 'western special services' with the intent to harm Russia's financial sovereignty. TRM Labs, a blockchain research firm, confirmed the theft and identified 70 compromised addresses, exceeding the number reported by Grinex. The attack also affected TokenSpot, another Kyrgyzstan-based exchange, which is believed to be a front for Grinex. Both exchanges ceased operations simultaneously, indicating a coordinated attack. The US Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Grinex, labeling it a rebrand of Garantex, an exchange known for facilitating transactions for cybercriminals.