Hacker Breaches Popular YouTube Account for Crypto Promotion

The YouTube account of popular Vietnamese streamer Độ Mixi, with 7.3 million subscribers, has been hacked and all of its gaming videos have been hidden, replaced with livestreams about Ripple's XRP. The channel's name has also been changed to "Ripple" and features a verified checkmark.

Hacker Compromises Popular YouTube Account to Promote Cryptocurrency

In a brazen attack that has shaken the online gaming community, the YouTube account of prominent streamer "Độ Mixi" has been compromised and repurposed to promote the cryptocurrency Ripple (XRP).

The incident came to light on April 2, 2023, when Mixi, a renowned figure with over 7.3 million YouTube followers, reported that his Mixigaming account had been seized by malicious actors.

Upon accessing the account, viewers were greeted with a startling sight: all previous gaming-related videos had vanished, replaced by two livestreams dedicated to Ripple. One broadcast boldly proclaimed that "XRP will reach $2 this month," while the other featured an interview with the company's executives.

Compounding the shock, the channel's name had been changed to "Ripple," complete with the coveted blue checkmark denoting its authenticity.

As news of the hack spread through the online gaming community, theories emerged regarding the potential entry point for the attackers. Some speculated that Mixi or his team may have inadvertently used unauthorized software with exploitable vulnerabilities, allowing the hackers to infiltrate the account.

Despite the setback, Mixi maintained an air of optimism, boasting of record-breaking livestream viewership on the compromised channel. The two videos on Ripple collectively garnered over 220,000 views.

This incident is not an isolated case. In recent times, numerous high-profile accounts belonging to companies, celebrities, and industry leaders have been compromised by hackers seeking to leverage their influence for crypto scams.

Among the notable victims are the hardware wallet manufacturer Trezor, investment firm MicroStrategy, venture capital fund DWF Labs, data aggregator CoinGecko, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, and even the SEC's official Twitter account.

As the cryptocurrency landscape evolves, so too do the tactics employed by cybercriminals. By exploiting vulnerabilities and manipulating popular platforms, malicious actors continue to seek illicit gains at the expense of unsuspecting users.

The compromise of Mixi's account serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices, particularly when dealing with sensitive information or large online followings.