TL;DR International law enforcement coordinated to take down BreachForum, arresting five administrators including IntelBroker (Kai West). Breakthrough came when IntelBroker…
The post Following the Bit...

<h2>TL;DR</h2><ul><li>International law enforcement coordinated to take down BreachForum, arresting five administrators including IntelBroker (Kai West).</li><li>Breakthrough came when IntelBroker accepted Bitcoin instead of Monero for a controlled purchase, enabling blockchain analysis.</li><li>Chainalysis Reactor helped trace cryptocurrency flows through multiple exchanges, connecting IntelBroker’s digital persona to his real identity.</li><li>The case demonstrates how blockchain analytics, combined with traditional investigative techniques, can effectively pierce cryptocurrency’s perceived anonymity.</li></ul><p>On June 25, 2025, in a coordinated international operation, law enforcement struck against BreachForum, one of the most significant platforms for trading stolen data. The French Cybercrime Unit (Brigade de lutte contre la cybercriminalité, BL2C) <a href="https://cybersecuritynews.com/five-hackers-behind-breachforum/" rel="nofollow">arrested five suspected administrators</a> of the platform, including the threat actors Shinyhunter, Noct, and Depressed. Simultaneously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/serial-hacker-intelbroker-charged-causing-25-million-damages-victims" rel="nofollow">unsealed charges against British national Kai West</a> for his alleged role as ‘IntelBroker’.</p><p>IntelBroker served as BreachForum’s owner between August 2024 and January 2025. West was arrested by French authorities in February 2025, following an investigation that demonstrates how advanced blockchain analytics can pierce through cryptocurrency’s perceived anonymity to connect digital personas to real-world identities.</p><h2>The investigation: How cryptocurrency became a digital fingerprint</h2><p>The breakthrough in identifying IntelBroker came through a carefully orchestrated undercover operation in January 2023. When IntelBroker offered to sell stolen data, an undercover law enforcement officer reached out to purchase it. While IntelBroker typically insisted on payments in <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/all-about-monero/" rel="nofollow">Monero</a> — a privacy-focused cryptocurrency — the officer successfully convinced the threat actor to accept Bitcoin instead. This deviation in payment method would prove to be IntelBroker’s undoing.</p><p>The Bitcoin address IntelBroker provided (bc1qj52d3d4p6d9d72jls6w0zyqrrt0gye69jrctvq) revealed his complete financial infrastructure.</p><p><img src="https://static.fwimg.io/img/feed/4d9daac26a109fc58c3251e41746ebbd.jpg" alt=""></p><p>Using <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/product/reactor/" rel="nofollow">Chainalysis Reactor</a>, investigators traced cryptocurrency flows that connected multiple exchanges to West’s real identity. The address had received funding directly from Ramp exchange. When investigators obtained account information from Ramp, they discovered the withdrawal was made by an account associated with ‘Kai Logan West’ and included his date of birth—the first concrete connection between the IntelBroker persona and a real-world identity.</p><p><img src="https://static.fwimg.io/img/feed/a1c40dd58fa0b036f2f6a32aca794530.jpg" alt=""></p><p>Cross-referencing revealed the same Bitcoin address had interacted with Coinbase. Account data showed the Coinbase account was opened under ‘Kyle Northern’, but KYC data ultimately linked back to ‘Kai West’. Analysis also revealed small deposits to CSGO500, an online cryptocurrency casino, and that an Ethereum address IntelBroker advertised (0x0cD1FD1191aeC66F555C0893D29E7c36AeEeb6ab) sent all funds to Changelly exchange.</p><p>Following the public release of investigation details, OSINT researchers in the cybersecurity community conducted additional analyses. Through open-source intelligence gathering, researchers identified an associated email address (kyle.northern1337@outlook.com) which led to the discovery of West’s LinkedIn profile. This profile revealed that he had previously worked as a Security Researcher Trainee at the National Crime Agency.</p><h2>Impact and lessons: Transforming crypto crime investigations</h2><p>The IntelBroker investigation demonstrates several breakthrough methodologies now reshaping how law enforcement approaches cryptocurrency-enabled crime:</p><ul><li><b>Immutable evidence:</b> Blockchain transactions create permanent, tamper-proof records analyzable years later.</li><li><b>Network visualization:</b> Blockchain analysis software like Chainalysis Reactor enable investigators to map complex transaction networks revealing connections impossible to identify manually.</li><li><b>Cross-platform correlation:</b> Analyzing transactions across multiple cryptocurrencies and exchanges builds comprehensive criminal financial profiles.</li><li><b>Multi-source intelligence:</b> Combining blockchain analytics with KYC data, OSINT, and traditional investigative techniques creates powerful identification capabilities.</li></ul><p>This coordinated approach required unprecedented international cooperation between French authorities who made the arrest, U.S. prosecutors who brought charges, and cryptocurrency exchanges who provided crucial account information.</p><p>The takedown sends a powerful message to cybercriminals: cryptocurrency does not provide the anonymity many believe it does, particularly when interacting with regulated exchanges. The case highlights critical operational security failures — accepting Bitcoin instead of Monero, publicly advertising cryptocurrency addresses, and using personal information for exchange accounts — that contributed to West’s identification.</p><p>For <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/law-enforcement/" rel="nofollow">law enforcement agencies</a> and <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/regulators/" rel="nofollow">compliance teams</a>, modern <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/blockchain-intelligence/" rel="nofollow">blockchain intelligence platforms</a> now provide comprehensive transaction mapping across blockchains, real-time risk assessment tools, cross-reference analysis capabilities, and standardized intelligence formats facilitating international information sharing.</p><h2>Building a safer digital future through intelligence-driven enforcement</h2><p>The IntelBroker case represents a fundamental shift in how law enforcement approaches cryptocurrency-enabled crime. By combining advanced blockchain analytics with strategic undercover operations and international cooperation, investigators penetrated what criminals believed was an anonymous digital ecosystem.</p><p>As cybercriminals evolve their techniques, law enforcement must continue advancing analytical capabilities and cooperation frameworks. The lessons from this investigation will inform future efforts against data breach marketplaces, ransomware operations, and other cryptocurrency-enabled crimes.</p><p>The IntelBroker takedown proves that sophisticated cybercriminals leave digital footprints that advanced analytics can follow. The blockchain’s immutable ledger serves not just as a foundation for digital assets, but as a powerful tool for justice in the digital age. At <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/" rel="nofollow">Chainalysis</a>, we remain committed to equipping investigators with the full suite of blockchain intelligence capabilities — from advanced analytics to training and expert services — to uncover, pursue and disrupt criminal operations in this evolving landscape.</p><div><a href="https://go.chainalysis.com/2025-Crypto-Crime-Report.html" rel="nofollow"><h2>The Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report </h2><span>Download now</span></a><a href="https://go.chainalysis.com/2025-Crypto-Crime-Report.html" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://static.fwimg.io/img/feed/8c8f7f46e385b87fa0921e8686d2002a.jpg" alt="2025 Crypto Crime Report"></a></div><p><i>This website contains links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein. </i></p><p><i>This material is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Recipients should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with Recipient’s use of this material.</i></p><p><i>Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in this report and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material.</i></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/breachforum-intelbroker-takedown-french-cybercrime-unit-july-2025/" rel="nofollow">Following the Bitcoin Trail: The IntelBroker Takedown</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.chainalysis.com/" rel="nofollow">Chainalysis</a>.</p>

Following the Bitcoin Trail: The IntelBroker Takedown

TL;DR 국제 법 집행 기관들이 협력하여 브리치포럼을 폐쇄하고, 인텔브로커(카이 웨스트)를 포함한 다섯 명의 관리자들을 체포했습니다. 인텔브로커가 돌파구를 마련했을 때...

팔로인(Followin) 비트(Bit)...

<h2>TL;DR</h2><ul><li>국제 법 집행 기관들이 BreachForum을 폐쇄하고, IntelBroker(카이 웨스트)를 포함한 5명의 관리자를 체포했습니다.</li><li>IntelBroker가 모네로 대신 비트코인으로 통제된 구매를 수락하면서 돌파구를 마련했습니다.</li><li>체인애널리시스 리액터가 여러 거래소를 통한 암호화폐 흐름을 추적하여 IntelBroker의 디지털 페르소나를 실제 신원과 연결했습니다.</li><li>이 사례는 블록체인 분석과 전통적인 수사 기법을 결합하여 암호화폐의 익명성을 효과적으로 뚫을 수 있음을 보여줍니다.</li></ul>

[이하 생략]

비트코인 트레일 따라가기: IntelBroker 테이크다운

이더리움(이더리움(ETH)) 창시자 비탈릭 부테린은 자신의 지갑으로 전송된 거래량이 적은 알트코인을 계속해서 매도하고 있다.
지난 이틀 동안 비테린은 카이버(KNC) 114,500개, STRAYDOG 3,057만 개, 그리고 10억 5천만 개를 판매했습니다.

이더리움 창시자 비탈릭 부테린, 알트코인 3종 매도 (온체인 데이터 기준)

끈기를 갖고 자신의 강점을 찾아낸다면, 분명 보상을 받을 것입니다.
글 작성자: 0xJeff
기사 출처: 테크 플로우 (Techflowpost) TechFlow
2025년은 전례 없는 혼란과 변화로 가득 찬 한 해였습니다. 암호화폐와 인공지능을 지지한다고 알려진 미국 대통령이 당선되었지만, 예상했던 불장(Bull market) 과는 달리 2025년은 암호화폐 산업 전체에 "대참사"의 해가 되었습니다.
대부분의 알트코인은 2025년에 80%~99% 폭락을 경험했습니다.
비트코인의 시총 점유비율 2019-2020년 수준(6% 이상)으로 돌아왔습니다.

2026년에 반드시 알아야 할 암호화폐 트렌드 7가지

비트코인이 9만 달러 선 아래에서 부진한 흐름을 보이자, 크립토퀀트 분석가들은 비트코인(BTC) 약세장에 진입했다고 예측하고 있습니다.