Bitpoint Exchange Hacked for $32 Million in Cryptocurrency

Bitpoint, a licensed cryptocurrency exchange based in Japan, has had $32 million-worth of crypto assets stolen from the platform.

By Wolfie Zhao

Jul 12, 2019 at 6:25 a.m. UTC

Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 9:25 a.m. UTC

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 taking place in Austin, Texas, April 26-28.

Secure Your Seat

Wolfie Zhao

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 taking place in Austin, Texas, April 26-28.

Secure Your Seat

Bitpoint, a licensed cryptocurrency exchange based in Japan, has been hacked for $32 million in crypto assets.

According to a CoinDesk Japan report on Friday, Bitpoint halted all services including trading, deposit and withdrawal of all crypto assets on Friday morning after it noticed irregular withdrawal from its hot wallet on Thursday.

It is not yet clear at this stage which types of assets were lost, the exchange offered trading for five cryptocurrencies: bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, litecoin and XRP.

The exchange's parent company Remixpoint Inc. said in an announcement that $23 million of the illegal outflow belonged to its customers.

The news marks the latest breach of a Japanese exchange. In September 2018, Zaif, also a licensed exchange under the Japanese Financial Services Agency, was hacked for $60 million worth of cryptocurrencies.

Earlier last year, Coincheck was also breached, resulting in more than $520 million worth of cryptocurrencies being stolen.

Japanese yen image via Shutterstock

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.

Wolfie Zhao

Learn more about Consensus 2023, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.

Wolfie Zhao