SEC X Account Hacked to Publish Bitcoin ETFs Approval Message

In a scene ripped from a digital thriller, the U.S. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) saw its Twitter account hijacked by an unknown entity, plunging the crypto world into a roller coaster ride of frenzied excitement and crushing disappointment. 

The perpetrator unleashed a fabricated announcement claiming approval of Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), a long-awaited development that ignites fervent anticipation within the cryptocurrency space.

The fraudulent tweet, crafted to resemble an official SEC pronouncement, spread like wildfire through social media, fueled by its tantalizing message. 

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News outlets scrambled to verify the news, propelling Bitcoin towards its dizzying peak, a 25% surge fueled by unbridled investor euphoria. 

The @SECGov X account was compromised, and an unauthorized post was posted. The SEC has not approved the listing and trading of spot bitcoin exchange-traded products.

— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) January 9, 2024

Briefly, it seemed as if regulatory hurdles had crumbled, granting Bitcoin mainstream validation and access.

Anatomy of the Hack:

Further investigation by X revealed the attacker’s modus operandi: they gained control of a phone number associated with the SEC’s account through a third-party service. 

X, now owned by Elon Musk, confirmed that the SEC hadn’t implemented two-factor authentication, a crucial security measure, at the time of the hack. This lapse in cybersecurity protocol facilitated unauthorized access.

However, this digital joyride was destined for a brutal stop. The SEC swiftly debunked the tweet, shattering the illusion of a regulatory green light. 

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