Solana Co-Founder Gokal Targeted in Instagram Hack Extortion Attempt

Raj Gokal, co-founder of Solana, has found himself at the center of a controversy following a data leak connected to a high-profile Instagram hack. This incident has raised significant concerns over the security of personal data in the crypto sector, as hackers increasingly target high-profile individuals for extortion.

The hackers shared at least seven images with Migos’ 13 million followers, including sensitive information such as Gokal’s passport, phone number, and other personal details. The captions accompanying the images suggested an extortion attempt, with phrases like “You should’ve paid the 40 BTC” indicating that the hackers had demanded 40 Bitcoin from Gokal. This brazen behavior highlights a troubling trend where personal data is weaponized for financial gain.

The leaked content remained visible for about 90 minutes before being removed by Meta, the parent company of Instagram. This incident not only jeopardizes Gokal’s privacy but also raises concerns about the potential misuse of highly sensitive data. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT weighed in on the incident, suggesting that Gokal’s personal accounts were likely targeted through social engineering tactics. He stated that the hackers tried to extort Gokal for funds with the personal information obtained and, after failing to do so, posted the information on Migos’ Instagram account.

This attack follows Gokal’s earlier warnings about repeated attempts to access his online accounts. He had cautioned followers about ongoing attempts to breach his communication platforms, indicating a troubling increase in targeted attacks. The nature of the leaked images has also raised speculation about a potential link to the recent Coinbase data breach, which affected roughly 1% of its monthly active users. Analysts have suggested that if the hackers have the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification files for the founders of Solana, they could potentially have KYC data for every user of the platform. However, no concrete evidence ties Coinbase to Gokal’s data leak, and Meta has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident.

This incident starkly highlights the vulnerabilities associated with crypto-related identities amid rising extortion tactics. The blend of social engineering and public exposure raises critical questions about the adequacy of security in digital finance. As the community reflects on this serious breach, ongoing dialogue around data security remains essential for protecting individual and institutional interests in the crypto space.