BitMart Founder Confirms Exchange Was Hit by Cyberattack During Restructuring

BitMart founder Sheldon Xia said a cyberattack hit the exchange after it announced its shutdown, while it was advancing restructuring and liquidation, and that preliminary findings suggested a possible link to attackers involved in the Mercado Bitcoin incident.

Xia characterized the amount involved as small. He said BitMart had opened an investigation and strengthened its security defenses.

BitMart was advancing restructuring and liquidation when the attack occurred. Xia said the process had reduced staffing to core personnel, leaving the security and technical teams short-staffed. The exchange was trying to retain key technical employees and protect platform data and assets, he said.

Brazilian exchange Mercado Bitcoin paused deposits and withdrawals after a security incident and said customer holdings were unaffected.