January 7, 2025 – Bengaluru, India: CoinSwitch, one of India’s leading cryptocurrency platforms, has announced a groundbreaking ₹600 crore recovery initiative aimed at compensating victims of the recent WazirX hack. This bold move seeks to restore trust in India’s crypto ecosystem and offer relief to users who suffered significant losses during the security breach.
The recovery initiative, titled "Crypto Rebuild," will be implemented in several phases to guarantee equity and transparency. CoinSwitch has collaborated with cybersecurity specialists, blockchain forensic companies, and legal consultants to identify impacted users and facilitate claims processing effectively.
CoinSwitch CEO, Ashish Singhal, stated, "The crypto industry thrives on trust and collaboration. This initiative is not just about compensation; it’s about rebuilding faith in the ecosystem. We stand in solidarity with the victims of the WazirX hack and are committed to helping them recover."
The WazirX platform suffered a major hack in December 2024, resulting in the theft of approximately ₹550 crore worth of digital assets. The breach exposed vulnerabilities in its security systems, affecting thousands of users. While investigations into the attack continue, this recovery initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the fallout.
Support from the Crypto Community
The recovery effort has garnered widespread support from the Indian cryptocurrency community. Nischal Shetty, founder of WazirX, expressed gratitude for CoinSwitch's efforts, calling it "a moment of unity in challenging times." Industry leaders have praised the initiative as a potential benchmark for crisis management within the crypto sector.
Individuals affected by the WazirX hack may submit their claims using a specialized webpage established by CoinSwitch. The platform would necessitate users to authenticate their losses using transaction logs and wallet addresses. The compensation process would prioritize minor investors to guarantee prompt relief for those most affected.
CoinSwitch has proposed the establishment of a coordinated security task force comprising Indian crypto exchanges to bolster cybersecurity safeguards and avert future occurrences. The program highlights the significance of proactive risk management in a continuously evolving business.
This ₹600 crore recovery campaign underscores CoinSwitch’s dedication to building trust and establishes a benchmark for the crypto industry’s collective support for its community during crises.