Home›Crypto›Market Structure›Coldcard hacker wallet turns OP_RETURN into permanent…

Coldcard hacker wallet turns OP_RETURN into permanent graffiti pleas

The attacker-linked Bitcoin address has received multiple deposits since July 30, with messages including requests to return funds and an offer to launder stolen BTC for a 10% cut.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Market Structure

A Bitcoin wallet tied to the Coldcard hacker exploit has become a public message board, with people attaching permanent notes to transactions using Bitcoin's OP_RETURN feature, according to CoinDesk. The wallet currently holds funds worth roughly $36 million, and several incoming deposits since July 30 include written messages alongside the transfers.

Messages range from pleas for the stolen money to opportunistic pitches, including one offering to launder the funds for a 10% cut. Blockchain researchers at Galaxy Research identified the address, labeled bc1qq85v2c926eg6pgxhwp6q7lf6cnsz80qs3fcu9r, as attacker-controlled and linked to the theft.

CoinDesk reports that the ability to add text stems from OP_RETURN, which lets anyone embed a small text string that is permanently timestamped on the blockchain along with the transaction. The feature exists for technical uses like timestamping documents or embedding proofs, but it can also be used for personal messaging.

Coldcard's wallet exploit, first detected on July 30, has escalated into a major self-custody breach, with confirmed losses now topping $100 million. CoinDesk also notes similar messages surfaced via on-chain tracking, though it is not possible to verify whether the notes come from genuine victims or opportunists attempting to capitalize on the attention.

Latest closeBitcoin $64,263.13 ▲1.3%

More like this

Sources