3520 BTC Stolen, Converted to XMR, Raising Questions – Coincu

Key Points:

  • Theft of 3,520 BTC rapidly converted to Monero, 50% price rise.
  • Investigator ZachXBT tracks the fund movement.
  • Event highlights challenges in tracking stolen crypto assets.

The suspected theft of 3,520 Bitcoin was reported by on-chain investigator ZachXBT nine hours ago. Following this, the stolen Bitcoin was quickly exchanged for Monero, affecting its market price.

The incident has significant implications in the crypto space as the conversion caused a 50% increase in Monero’s price.

3,520 BTC Theft Spurs Monero’s 50% Price Surge

ZachXBT, a renowned crypto investigator, flagged the theft involving 3,520 BTC. The incident saw the stolen Bitcoin moving to a specific address before a rapid conversion to Monero through several exchanges. This choice of Monero is common among thieves due to its privacy features, which obscure transactions, making it challenging to trace funds. The swift asset swap catalyzed a 50% spike in Monero’s price, highlighting a massive immediate liquidity shift.

The event is notable for its immediate market reactions. The surge in demand for Monero, a privacy-centric cryptocurrency, underscores its use for laundering. As of April 28, 2025, no official statements from exchanges or regulatory bodies have been made regarding measures to address this theft or enhance tracking protocols, showcasing the complexities law enforcement faces in combatting crypto thefts.

ZachXBT, On-chain Investigator, noted for uncovering crypto thefts, said, “The rapid conversion of stolen BTC into Monero indicates a significant laundering effort.”

BTC and XMR Under Scrutiny Amid Regulatory Concerns

Did you know? The use of Monero by cybercriminals is a recurring theme, highlighting the currency’s role in safeguarding transaction privacy and exemplifying the difficulties of tracing illegal activities.

Bitcoin currently trades at $94,766.93, securing a market capitalization of $1.88 trillion, as per CoinMarketCap data. Despite BTC’s recent price fluctuations, a 13.28% increase was noted in the past 30 days. Market dominance remains strong at 63.16%, while its circulating supply is nearing maximum capacity at 19,857,137 BTC.

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Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 07:49 UTC on April 28, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

According to Coincu research, there is a growing focus on regulatory measures to combat crypto-related crimes. The incident underscores a need for enhanced tracking mechanisms, potentially leading to evolving regulatory frameworks aimed at addressing privacy-focused currency challenges.

Source: https://coincu.com/334724-btc-xmr-theft-price-surge/