Railgun Blocks Inferno Drainer’s $530K ETH Laundering Attempt

On Jul 11, 2024 at 12:01 pm UTC by · 3 mins read

While other crypto mixers have been shutting down amid regulatory pressures, Railgun has seen increased adoption and support.

Crypto privacy protocol Railgun successfully thwarted an attempt by the notorious wallet-draining group Inferno Drainer to launder $530,000 worth of stolen ETH.

On July 10, cryptocurrency tracker MistTrack reported that a laundering attempt involving 174 Ether (ETH) was blocked by Railgun, forcing the funds back to Inferno Drainer’s original wallet.

Railgun’s Privacy and Security Measures

Railgun is an on-chain privacy protocol that uses zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge (zk-SNARKs) to protect users’ privacy without compromising their security. Railgun implements privacy pools to ensure that users can maintain their anonymity while participating in the network.

Railgun proactively blacklisted the address associated with Inferno Drainers, preventing the laundering attempt and reinforcing the protocol’s security measures. This proactive approach was praised by the crypto community, highlighting the importance of such measures in maintaining trust and safety within the ecosystem.

While other crypto mixers have been shutting down amid regulatory pressures, Railgun has seen increased adoption and support. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been a vocal advocate for Railgun, using the protocol to conduct multiple transactions and emphasizing its importance for maintaining privacy in the crypto space.

Inferno Drainer’s Tactics and Ongoing Threats

Inferno Drainer has been a significant player in the crypto-draining landscape since November 2022, operating under a scam-as-a-service model. The group tricks victims into connecting their cryptocurrency wallets to malicious websites, allowing the attackers to drain funds once a transaction is authorized. Group-IB, a cybersecurity firm, has identified thousands of unique domains linked to Inferno Drainer’s phishing operations, which have targeted many crypto brands and users.

Despite announcing plans to shut down operations, Inferno Drainer’s infrastructure still seems to be active. The group has stolen over $180 million in crypto from 189,000 victims since its inception, according to Dune Analytics.

Rise In Cryptocurrency Hacks

The cryptocurrency sector has experienced a dramatic surge in exploits and thefts. According to blockchain research firm TRM Labs, global losses from crypto theft in the first half of 2024 surpassed $1.38 billion. This figure is more than double the amount lost during the same period in the previous year, highlighting a significant rise in cybercriminal activity targeting digital assets.

Phishing attacks, such as the ones executed by Inferno Drainers, account for a substantial portion of these breaches. Experts in blockchain security stress the critical need for stronger security protocols and heightened awareness among users.

One effective strategy is enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure crypto-related accounts against phishing attacks. 2FA provides an additional security layer by requiring a second form of verification, usually a unique code generated on the user’s mobile device, in addition to their password. This dual verification process ensures that even if attackers obtain login credentials through phishing attempts, they still need the second factor, such as a time-based one-time password, to gain access.

Share:

Related Articles

Insane 176,271 Ethereum Strategy Opened By SharpLink, Price Spike Ahead?

By June 16th, 2025

SharpLink Gaming has purchased 176,271 ETH, staking most to boost the broader Ethereum network security, a boost for price growth.

The Bitcoin Rocket: Still Fueling up After 9 Weeks of Inflows?

By June 16th, 2025

After nine straight weeks of inflows and technical resilience, Bitcoin hovers near all-time highs as whales, retail, and institutions alike double down on conviction.

Ethereum Foundation Pledges $500K for Tornado Cash Founder’s Legal Defense

By June 14th, 2025

Ethereum Foundation announced a $500,000 donation to support Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm’s legal defense, while pledging to match another $750,000 in additional community contributions.

Exit mobile version