June 19, 2025 – In a bold escalation of cyber warfare, a sophisticated Israeli hacking group, identified as Gonjeshke Darande (“Predatory Sparrow”), has claimed responsibility for a series of cyberattacks targeting Iran’s financial infrastructure.
The group first crippled operations at Iran’s state-owned Bank Sepah, one of the country’s largest financial institutions, before executing a massive breach of Nobitex, Iran’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, resulting in the permanent destruction of over $90 million in digital assets.
These attacks, occurring amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, mark a significant escalation in the use of cyber tactics to destabilize Iran’s economy.
On June 17, 2025, Predatory Sparrow launched a targeted cyberattack on Bank Sepah, disrupting its online banking services, ATMs, and internal systems.
The attack rendered the bank’s digital infrastructure inoperable, leaving millions of customers unable to access their accounts.
Sources indicate that the hackers infiltrated the bank’s servers, erasing critical financial data and causing widespread chaos in Iran’s banking sector.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the group claimed the attack was retaliation for Iran’s recent missile strikes and its support for regional proxies targeting Israel.
The assault on Bank Sepah has had far-reaching consequences, with reports of long queues at physical branches and public frustration mounting.
Iranian authorities have downplayed the attack’s impact, but independent analysts estimate that restoring full operations could take weeks, further straining Iran’s already fragile economy under international sanctions.
Nobitex Crypto Heist: $90 Million in Assets Burned
Following the bank attack, Predatory Sparrow turned its sights on Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, on June 18, 2025.
In a meticulously planned operation, the hackers exploited vulnerabilities in Nobitex’s hot wallets, siphoning off over $90 million in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Tron (TRX), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and TON.
Unlike typical financially motivated hacks, the group transferred the stolen funds to vanity addresses containing the phrase “F*ckIRGCterrorists,” rendering the assets inaccessible by effectively “burning” them through computationally infeasible private key generation.
Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, which tracked the stolen funds, confirmed that the addresses used by the hackers were designed to send a political message rather than facilitate financial gain.
These attacks left Nobitex’s website offline and its 7 million users in limbo, with the exchange assuring customers that losses will be covered through its insurance fund and internal resources.
The U.S. Department of Justice, while not directly involved, has been monitoring the situation, given its recent focus on combating cryptocurrency-related cybercrime.
Meanwhile, posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users praising the hackers’ technical prowess and others condemning the attacks as reckless escalation.
As cyber warfare becomes a central pillar of modern conflicts, experts warn that such attacks could become more frequent and destructive.
For now, Iran faces the daunting task of rebuilding its compromised financial systems while bracing for potential further cyberattacks.
Back to Daily Market News.
Follow Frank Nez on X or Facebook for more community insights.
Announcement: PR Newswire formally announces Frank Nez’s Journalist Verification on Muck Rack, solidifying our position in independent media.
Restaurants in The Bay Area Are Now on The Edge Over Immigration Raids
ICE Is Now Reportedly Running Out of Money
Minnesota Shooter Had A ‘Hit List’ of 45 Officials
Trump Is Now Under Heavy Pressure To Make Decision Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
What Trump Is Doing In California Is “Illegal and Dangerous”, Says Newsom
Trump Mobile: A New Era in Telecommunications for Trump’s Followers
Trump Now Directs ICE To Expand Deportations in Southern California
Bernie Sanders Now Calls For the Investigation of RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Firings
About The Author
