US crypto company Nomad victim of $190 million theft

Representations of cryptocurrencies in this illustration taken January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) – U.S. crypto firm Nomad has been the victim of a $190 million theft, blockchain researchers said on Tuesday, the latest such heist to hit the digital asset industry This year.

Nomad said in a tweet that he was “aware of the incident” and was currently investigating, without giving further details or the value of the theft.

Crypto analytics firm PeckShield told Reuters that $190 million worth of user cryptocurrencies were stolen, including ether and stablecoin USDC. Other blockchain researchers have put the figure at over $150 million.

San Francisco-based Nomad did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company, which raised $22 million last week from investors including major US exchange Coinbase Global (COIN.O)makes software that connects different blockchains – the digital ledgers that underpin most cryptocurrencies.

The heist targeted Nomad’s “bridge” – a tool that allows users to transfer tokens between blockchains.

Blockchain bridges are increasingly the target of thefts, which have long plagued the crypto industry. Over $1 billion has been stolen from bridges so far in 2022, according to London-based blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. Read more

In June, US crypto firm Harmony said thieves stole around $100 million worth of tokens from its Horizon Bridge product. Read more

In March, hackers stole approximately $615 million worth of cryptocurrency from Ronin Bridge, which is used to transfer crypto in and out of the Axie Infinity game. The United States has linked the North Korean hackers to the theft. Read more

Nomad describes himself as “safety first” company that would keep user funds safe.

Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; edited by Tom Wilson and Christina Fincher

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