Bitstamp Halts Services after a Digital Vault Breach

The Slovenia-based Bitcoin exchange suspended transactions following a suspected hack. A notice on the company’s website states there is “reason to believe that one of Bitstamp’s operational wallets was compromised.”

Bitstamp say it has temporarily stopped its service “as a security precaution,” but claims that it has enough bitcoins in saved offline to cover losses. The company has not disclosed how much money is gone.

Still, the website shouts this alert to customers:

“IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE DEPOSITS TO PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BITCOIN DEPOSIT ADDRESSES. THEY CANNOT BE HONORED!”

Service issues were first publicized by customers on Hacker News who received an email from the company. Hours later, Bitstamp’s website was updated with the notice.