SEC claims “SIM swap” technique used in hacking X account to post fake spot Bitcoin ETF approval

Source Fxstreet
  • The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stated that the regulator's telecom carrier was at the core of the hack.
  • The SIM swap attack resulted in the X-authorized phone number being transferred to another phone.
  • Bitcoin price rallied by 7% following the fake spot Bitcoin ETF approval and has not noted a rise as significant since then.

The last time Bitcoin price rallied was owing to a fake post about the spot Bitcoin ETF receiving approval, for which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received considerable flak. In response to this hack, the SEC stated it would be conducting an investigation, and per the recent findings, the regulator claims it is not at fault.

SEC sheds blame

In a statement on Monday, the regulatory body stated that the hack that occurred on January 8 was the result of a "SIM swap" attack. A SIM swap attack occurs when a hacker tricks a telecom provider into transferring a victim's phone number to a new SIM card under the attacker's control. This allows the attacker to intercept sensitive information, such as two-factor authentication codes, and gain unauthorized access to the victim's accounts and data.

The SEC faced a similar situation when the hacker gained control of the SEC cell phone number associated with the X account. The regulatory body added,

"Access to the phone number occurred via the telecom carrier, not via SEC systems. SEC staff have not identified any evidence that the unauthorized party gained access to SEC systems, data, devices, or other social media accounts."

Generally, social media accounts are protected by a feature known as multi-factor authorization (MFA), which prevents hacking via a simple password reset. The SEC had disabled this owing to access issues back in July 2023 and only enabled it following the hack. Had this been done beforehand, the market would have been saved from the millions of dollars of liquidations it witnessed.

Bitcoin price still awaiting bullish catalyst

Bitcoin price shot up by close to 7% on January 8, the day when the SEC's X account was hacked and the false spot Bitcoin ETF tweet was posted. After realizing the situation, the market practiced caution over the next couple of days, barely reacting on the day when the ETFs were officially approved by the regulator on January 10.

BTC/USD 1-day chart

BTC/USD 1-day chart

BTC has not seen a rally since then; instead, most of the price action has been concentrated toward a decline, and the cryptocurrency is currently hovering around $40,000, awaiting a strong bullish catalyst to push Bitcoin back up toward $47,000.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Elon Musk is doing nothing to stop Tesla’s downfallTesla sales are collapsing worldwide, and Musk’s chaotic leadership and focus on political power plays are doing nothing to stop the downfall. The start of 2025 has been troubling, particularly in Europe, where Tesla saw a 45% drop in new registrations in January compared to the same period in 2024, with further declines in February. […]
Author  Cryptopolitan
Mar 24, Mon
Tesla sales are collapsing worldwide, and Musk’s chaotic leadership and focus on political power plays are doing nothing to stop the downfall. The start of 2025 has been troubling, particularly in Europe, where Tesla saw a 45% drop in new registrations in January compared to the same period in 2024, with further declines in February. […]
placeholder
Nvidia stock sinks 4% as Trump’s tariff plans rattle AI tradeNvidia shares fell over 4% early Monday after US President Donald Trump delivered a stern message about trade tariffs. Trump said on Sunday that no country would be given any special treatment regarding tariffs. He also signed new trade policies into effect on April 2, which he calls “Liberation Day.” This frightened investors, who had […]
Author  NewsBTC
23 hours ago
Nvidia shares fell over 4% early Monday after US President Donald Trump delivered a stern message about trade tariffs. Trump said on Sunday that no country would be given any special treatment regarding tariffs. He also signed new trade policies into effect on April 2, which he calls “Liberation Day.” This frightened investors, who had […]
placeholder
XRP Price Set For ‘Hot’ April With Low Fibonacci Levels And High $5-$8 TargetThe past 24 hours have been challenging for XRP holders. A sharp 5.8% decline in price has brought the asset close to testing critical support around $2, with selling pressure currently dominating XRP’s trading volume. The sentiment is turning bearish, but one analyst is confident in the cryptocurrency’s long-term trajectory, predicting that the altcoin is […]
Author  NewsBTC
23 hours ago
The past 24 hours have been challenging for XRP holders. A sharp 5.8% decline in price has brought the asset close to testing critical support around $2, with selling pressure currently dominating XRP’s trading volume. The sentiment is turning bearish, but one analyst is confident in the cryptocurrency’s long-term trajectory, predicting that the altcoin is […]
placeholder
PEPE Price Forecast: PEPE could rally to double digits if it breaks above its key resistance levelPepe (PEPE) memecoin approaches its descending trendline, trading around $0.000007 on Tuesday; a breakout indicates a bullish move ahead.
Author  FXStreet
19 hours ago
Pepe (PEPE) memecoin approaches its descending trendline, trading around $0.000007 on Tuesday; a breakout indicates a bullish move ahead.
placeholder
Gold price hits new all-time high ahead of Trump’s reciprocal tariffsGold price (XAU/USD) edges higher again for a second day this week and for the first day of the second quarter of 2025.
Author  FXStreet
14 hours ago
Gold price (XAU/USD) edges higher again for a second day this week and for the first day of the second quarter of 2025.
Related Instrument
goTop
quote