On June 23, 2025, Cointelegraph hackers compromised the crypto media website hack of Cointelegraph’s front-end, displaying fake pop-up windows promoting a fake CTG tokens airdrop to steal user funds. This Cointelegraph phishing attack underscores the growing threat of crypto cybercrimes, urging users to stay vigilant.
Details of the Frontend Compromise
The cyberattack in crypto industry exploited a frontend vulnerability in Cointelegraph’s ad system, injecting malicious code to show a scam banner offering 50,000 “CTG” tokens worth $275,000. Users were prompted to connect wallets via phishing via Metamask connection, risking loss of crypto assets.
Key details:
- The fake airdrop mimicked a “fair launch” with a bogus CertiK and fair launch audit claim.
- No CTG tokens exist on major exchanges like CoinMarketCap.
- The attack mirrors a similar to CoinMarketCap attack on June 21, 2025, which drained $18,570 from 39 users.
Cointelegraph warning urged users: “Do not click pop-ups, connect wallets, or share personal info”.
Impact on the Crypto Community
The attack on crypto community via user trust exploitation highlights a surge in crypto phishing. Hacker-related losses May 2025 reached $244 million losses in May across 20 hacks, with phishing accounting for 70% of 2024’s $2.2B in crypto losses. June 2025 phishing attacks like this show crypto attackers targeting trusted platforms.
| Platform | Date | Losses | Method |
| CoinMarketCap | June 21, 2025 | $18,570 | Fake pop-up windows |
| Cointelegraph | June 23, 2025 | TBD | Wallet connection and theft |
Airdrop impersonation scams exploit trust, risking stolen funds movement to hacker wallets .
What Users Should Do
This frontend compromise poses immediate risks:
- Avoid Pop-Ups: Do not interact with fake airdrop prompts on crypto sites.
- Check Sources: Verify airdrops via official channels, not pop-ups CoinTelegraph.
- Use Security Tools: Browser extensions like Metamask or Scam Sniffer flag malicious scripts.
- Secure Wallets: Store funds in hardware wallets like Ledger ($149) to prevent wallet connection and theft Ledger.
User takeaway: Stay cautious, as crypto cybercrimes are rising, with trusted sites becoming attack vectors.