Attackers hijacked Migos’ verified Instagram account on May 27, 2025, and bullied Solana co-founder Raj Gokal into paying a 40 Bitcoin ransom. Hackers dumped sensitive personal documents.
Attackers Leak Solana Co-Founder’s Personal Data
According to a tweet from Andy, co-founder of The Rollup, hackers accessed the Instagram account of Migos, with more than 13 million followers. They uploaded photos of Gokal’s alleged ID, passport, etc., with an unknown man named “Arvind” and himself.
Photos came with threatening messages and a minimal message: “You should’ve paid the 40 BTC.” Sources told it was a case of extortion in which Gokal hadn’t paid the asked ransom amount.
They also modified the account description to make it an advertisement for a meme coin scam, posted suspicious Telegram links, and posted audio files. All these indicate the increasing threat to public figures in the crypto space.
Social Engineering and Blackmail Strategies Uncovered
The hackers acquired the information through social engineering, blockchain investigator ZachXBT explained. This is after a succession of coordinated cyber attacks on his professional and personal networks within a week. The hackers tried to blackmail Gokal after they accessed the information. When he did not pay, they posted the sensitive information to the internet.
The hacked material was available for approximately 90 minutes before it was removed. That limited time frame proved to be sufficient to act as a reminder of how swiftly attacks can be used to cause reputational and privacy harm.
Security Takeaways for Crypto and Celebrity Accounts
Researchers discover that social media crypto influencers and celebrities remain victims of cyber attacks. Public personalities need to intensify cyber security measures, including multi-factor authentication, password rotation, and tight social media privacy settings.
Gokal had already posted advisory warning messages of so-called hacking on his sites. The attack itself, however, proves the importance of keen security in business as well as personal endeavors.
Impact on Crypto Community and General Public Perception
Migos Instagram hack is just one of several examples of such hacks dominating headlines in the cryptosphere. Public hacks are not only security issues but trust issues for the entire universe of cryptocurrency as well. With larger-scale mainstream adoption of digital currency on the horizon, proper cybersecurity can never be emphasized enough.
The hack has been termed as an eye-opener for every project influencer and leader. Having security staff on point can avert reputational damage and give investors the confidence they desire.
