A $36 million stolen Bitcoin wallet has become a public message board as victims and opportunists leave pleas and offers for the hacker.
A Bitcoin wallet linked to a recent hack has unexpectedly become a platform for victims to leave messages, as they pay small amounts to communicate with the thief.
Public Messages on a $36 Million Stolen Bitcoin Wallet
The wallet, identified as containing around $36 million in stolen bitcoin, has been transformed into a public message board since the hack was detected on July 30. Individuals have started depositing small amounts of bitcoin, each accompanied by messages pleading for the return of their funds.
One message states, "You stole, please return some," among many others now permanently recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain. Blockchain analysts, including those from Galaxy Research, have been tracking the wallet, which is known by the address bc1qq85v2c926eg6pgxhwp6q7lf6cnsz80qs3fcu9r.
The messages range from heartfelt appeals for restitution to opportunistic offers, such as one individual proposing to launder the stolen bitcoin for a 10% fee. This situation not only showcases the functionalities of the Bitcoin blockchain but also highlights the emotional responses of victims towards the hacker.
The ability to attach messages to transactions is facilitated by a feature called OP_RETURN, allowing users to include a small text string that becomes part of the blockchain record. Initially designed for developers to timestamp documents, it has also been creatively used for personal messages.
The hack involving the Coldcard hardware wallet has been significant, with losses reported to exceed $100 million since its discovery.
Examples of Victim Messages
According to Arkham Intelligence, which monitors on-chain activities, numerous messages have been sent to the wallet. One individual expressed desperation with the plea, "Please Please Please," while another specifically requested the return of "80% of my 5 BTC." The authenticity of these messages remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether they come from genuine victims or those hoping to exploit the situation.
Some messages appear self-serving, such as one offering laundering services: "I clean btc, do kyc and cashout. I take 10%,” complete with a Telegram handle. Another message asks for "1 BTC for my Bitcoin journey," seemingly unrelated to the theft and possibly an attempt to solicit funds from the hacker's audience.
One particularly creative message reads: "Monday owns my day / five plus ten bitcoin stranger / let me call in free."
A Pattern in Crypto Thefts
This phenomenon is not new; users have previously utilized OP_RETURN to reach out to hackers. For instance, after the 2020 LuBian mining pool theft, victims attempted to negotiate with the perpetrator through OP_RETURN messages, which later helped identify the wallets involved.
However, the current case with the Coldcard wallet is distinct, featuring a diverse array of voices—both victims and opportunists—leaving their messages on the blockchain.
