Swiss Bitcoin Service Pocket Bitcoin Reports Data Breach Affecting More Than 5,400 Users

Swiss-based Bitcoin trading service Pocket Bitcoin has disclosed a data breach affecting more than 5,400 users.

Odaily reported on September 3 that personal data from more than 5,400 users was exposed last month. The leaked information included email addresses, customer inquiry records and bank transfer-related details.

For some customers, copies of identification documents, residential addresses, proof-of-funds materials and Bitcoin addresses used in transactions were also exposed. Pocket Bitcoin said the categories of compromised personal data differed by user and that affected customers were notified individually about the specific items involved.

Pocket Bitcoin detected the attack on August 16 and blocked the hacker's access to its systems, according to the report. The company then confirmed on August 19 that personal information stored in its internal database, including emails and inquiry records, had been copied.

Users' Bitcoin and private keys were not compromised. Pocket Bitcoin is a non-custodial service and does not hold customer assets or private keys.

Pocket Bitcoin said it had fixed the vulnerability and implemented additional security measures. It also completed a forensic investigation and reported the incident to Switzerland's federal data protection authority.

No evidence has emerged so far that the leaked personal data has been used for crimes or other malicious purposes.