Pepe Meme Creator Loses $1M in North Korean Hack

The creator of the Pepe meme, Matt Furie, recently experienced a significant cybersecurity breach when several of his cryptocurrency projects were hacked by North Korean hackers. The attack resulted in losses exceeding $1 million, with approximately $310,000 stolen from projects such as Replicandy, Peplicator, Hedz, and Zogz, and over $680,000 from the Favrr project. The hackers exploited vulnerabilities in smart contracts, removing restrictions on token issuance and minting NFTs, which they then sold, causing the value of these assets to plummet to zero.

According to on-chain detective ZachXBT, the attacks are suspected to be linked to North Korean developers hired through freelance platforms. ZachXBT has documented regular payments to these "employees" from third-party crypto projects and plans to release further statistics. This incident underscores the growing threat of cybersecurity breaches in the digital art and meme community, where creators often handle valuable digital assets and intellectual property.

In another cybersecurity development, a new trojan known as SparkKitty has been identified, targeting cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases. Distributed via fake app store websites, the malware disguises itself as cryptocurrency applications and modified versions of TikTok. Once installed, it requests access to the photo gallery, tracks changes, and uploads stolen images to a remote server. The primary goal of the attackers is to find screenshots of cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases, which can be used to gain unauthorized access to digital wallets. The trojan is currently targeting residents of China and Southeast Asia, highlighting the global reach of cyber threats.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies have made significant strides in combating cybercrime. The hacker known as IntelBroker and several operators of BreachForums were arrested in France. The U.S. Justice Department filed charges against 25-year-old British citizen Kai West, known by his hacker alias IntelBroker, and announced his arrest in February 2025. U.S. authorities are seeking his extradition on charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and electronic fraud. Law enforcement identified West’s accounts on the Ramp platform and Coinbase, and found scans of personal documents in the linked email.

Furthermore, four operators of BreachForums v2 were arrested in France, including ShinyHunters, who served as administrator of the hacker forum after Pompompurin’s capture. IntelBroker was also listed among those running the site after its relaunch. These arrests demonstrate the ongoing efforts to dismantle cybercriminal networks and bring perpetrators to justice. In Russia, a court sentenced four members of the REvil group to five years in prison, although they were released from custody after the verdict due to time served in pre-trial detention.

The impact of such cyberattacks extends beyond financial losses. The breach of trust and the potential misuse of personal data can have long-lasting effects on individuals and organizations. In the case of the Pepe meme creator, the attack not only compromised their projects but also raised questions about the security of digital art and meme culture. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols and the need for continuous vigilance in the digital age.

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with new threats emerging constantly. The attack on the Pepe meme creator and the rise of scam trading highlight the need for proactive measures to safeguard digital assets. Organizations and individuals must prioritize cybersecurity, investing in advanced technologies and training to mitigate the risks associated with cyberattacks. By doing so, they can protect their valuable assets and maintain the trust of their stakeholders.