South Korean karaoke platform Somesing recently faced a cyberattack, losing over $11.5 million worth of its native token, SSX. The attack occurred on January 27th, sending shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community.
The attack is believed to be the work of highly skilled hackers specializing in virtual asset theft. Notably, there is no evidence of involvement from Somesing's team members, as stated in the platform's official response. Somesing reported the incident promptly to the National Police Agency. The platform plans to collaborate with Interpol to investigate the cyber breach thoroughly.
Somesing is working alongside the Klaytn Foundation and the cybersecurity firm Uppsala Security, an Interpol partner, to track down the attackers. The platform's main objective is to identify the responsible party quickly. It aims to take appropriate actions, including freezing the stolen assets and pursuing legal measures against those behind the cyberattack.
Suspension of Services by Major Exchanges
Following the security breach, major South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges temporarily suspended deposit and withdrawal services for SSX, including Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone. These exchanges also warned their users about the potential for increased price volatility. However, other exchanges, such as HTX and Gate.io, which also list SSX, did not take similar precautionary measures.
Somesing operates on the Klaytn blockchain, employing a unique model encouraging users to upload their karaoke recordings. In return for their contributions, users are rewarded with SSX tokens. These rewards are funded by fellow users who donate tokens to support their preferred karaoke performers. The distribution model allocates 60% of donated tokens to singers and 20% to Somesing, with the remaining portion divided for copyright fees and community maintenance.
Cybersecurity Concerns in the Cryptocurrency Sector
Despite this incident, concerns surrounding cybersecurity in the cryptocurrency sector persist. The Somesing cyberattack is just one in a series of recent security breaches. Notably, the attack on Somesing follows an $81.5 million hack on the Klaytn-linked protocol Orbit Bridge earlier in the same month. However, reports suggest that the total volume of cryptocurrency hacks in 2023 witnessed a significant reduction, dropping by over 50% compared to the previous year.
The Somesing cyberattack underscores the ongoing challenges of ensuring the security of blockchain-based platforms. The platform's proactive response and collaboration with relevant entities demonstrate a determined effort to address the breach and protect users after this incident.