Quote from: Don Pedro Dinero on Today at 07:01:01 AM

So they want to get the 50 bitcoins anyway, either by paying the ransom or by selling the data themselves.

Yes. You understood correctly. That is what the OP says.

(character boosting much? Roll Eyes

)

Quote from: Don Pedro Dinero on Today at 07:01:01 AM

What I hate about this kind of news is that bitcoin is in the media linked to scammers and hackers, which does not give a good image. Just as the media does not usually help because when the price was lower they criticized Bukele for buying bitcoin for El Salvador and now they are silent. I am referring to the main mass media.

I think the market is way past valuing in the "black money" and the "bitcoin is for criminals" news. At this point, this kind of news is only to keep retail investors out, to miss out on the wealth opportunity. That's their own doing and MSM probably make them say/do so much worse than not getting in Bitcoin.

Quote from: Nwada001 on Today at 07:10:58 AM

Your thread title is also as misleading as what we see on news sites: "Hackers claim $2 million in bitcoin" is different from hackers demanding $2 million in bitcoin.

Your topic title made me see the entire situation, like the hackers already got their hands on the bitcoin, which makes me almost want to ask if there were some bitcoin wallets linked to the game data that were stolen.

Essentially, they have made at least 50 BTC. Someone will bid for at least 50 BTC, the data is worth a lot more...or, Isomniac will pay the ransom. Either way, 50BTC minimum for the group.

Quote from: Nwada001 on Today at 07:10:58 AM

But why do hackers always go for bitcoin as demand? Why not ask for other coins that could also be used and exchanged for whatever they want without being traced? There are coins like Monero (XMR), which is a highly recommended privacy coin.

Why is it always bitcoin? Making the news and headlines look like bitcoin is always used for illegal things, and all of that as if it's the only coin that could be used by criminals and it won't be traced.

Hackers probably want to make it easier for the ransom payer. Many exchanges have already dropped Monero and other privacy coins in a bid against "money laundering" (rather a bid against privacy). Companies can access and distribute Bitcoin much easier. It probably could even come under the balance sheet liability/insurances as well at this stage, given it is a commodity (don't quote me on the latter though just a logical thought with little base).

Quote from: kryptqnick on Today at 10:34:29 AM

It's a huge company, and while I'm not big on gaming, I've played some of their games. They're very rich (because they're owned by Sony which has an annual profit around $88B), so it's not surprising they were targeted, and 50 BTC is nothing for a company like this. Starting to auction data before the deadline for the ransom, however, is very inappropriate.
It's not surprising that Bitcoin is used in this situation, but considering that transactions are all publicly available, perhaps this money can be traced in the future and help bring the hackers to justice.

they'll pay it under the table, and all will be forgotten (my guess, anyway).