Revolut hackers demand $3 million in Monero, threaten to sell customer data
Hackers who breached the systems of digital banking platform Revolut are demanding $3 million in Monero (XMR) as ransom, threatening to sell sensitive customer data on dark web marketplaces if the payment is not made. The group has not disclosed how many customers are affected, though Revolut has yet to publicly confirm the full scope of the breach. The attackers specifically requested Monero rather than Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, citing the asset's enhanced privacy features.
Revolut, which serves over 45 million customers globally and holds a UK banking license, has previously faced scrutiny over data security. In 2022, the company disclosed a breach affecting approximately 50,000 customers. The fintech firm has grown rapidly across Europe and beyond, making it an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals seeking large pools of personal and financial data.
The demand for Monero is notable within the cybersecurity and crypto communities. Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies have increasingly become the preferred payment method in ransomware attacks, as they obscure transaction trails and complicate law enforcement tracing efforts. This incident may intensify regulatory pressure on exchanges that list Monero, particularly in jurisdictions already pushing for stricter anti-money laundering compliance around privacy coins.
Observers will be watching whether Revolut engages with the ransom demand, notifies affected users, or faces regulatory intervention from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority. Law enforcement agencies have not yet publicly commented on the investigation.
Source: CoinDesk
