Bithumb discloses data breach following intrusion into internal systems: report
The breach affected its internal mobile system, which employees use to work and share information.
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb is investigating the scope of the data breach following a hacker intrusion into its internal mobile system earlier this week, Yonhap News reported Wednesday.
According to Yonhap, citing industry sources, Bithumb discovered on Tuesday that its internal mobile system had been compromised. This system is used by employees for internal communication, and the company reported the incident to the Korea Internet & Security Agency and the Personal Information Protection Commission on the same day.
The exchange is investigating the scope of the attack, including whether any member data was compromised.
Bithumb told Yonhap News Agency: “We are analyzing the exact scope, including whether member information was involved. We will issue an official announcement this morning. However, our internal work systems are separate from our virtual asset trading systems, so customer virtual assets cannot be accessed through this breach.”
Cointelegraph has contacted Bithumb for further comment.
This incident intensified a recent wave of cyberattacks on South Korea's financial sector.
At a meeting on Wednesday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Chang-yong stated that, as of October 14, 16 financial companies in South Korea had been targeted by cyberattacks.
The Korea Times reported that asset management companies Mirae Asset Global Investments and Daeshin Securities recently became victims of cyberattacks.
Daeshin Securities stated that personal and credit information of 38,490 clients has been leaked. Mirae Asset Global Investments said it has blocked unauthorized external access to certain network systems and is investigating the incident. The company said investor information was not affected, according to Yonhap News.
Related report: Bithumb sets a 2028 IPO timeline amid restructuring its internal controls.