CoinMarketCap Data Breach
Status: Confirmed
Breach Intelligence Summary
Entity: CoinMarketCap · Actor: Unknown · Source: Have I Been Pwned / ObscureIQ intelligence
Attack: API Exploitation via API exploitation
Timeline: Breach (Oct, 2021) · Reported (Oct, 2021) · Leak (10/22/21)
Exposure: 3.1M+ records · Email addresses
Status: Confirmed · Risk: Low (Credential reuse / phishing)
Summary
During October 2021 3.1 million email addresses with accounts on the cryptocurrency market capitalisation website CoinMarketCap were discovered being traded on hacking forums. Whilst the email addresses were found to correlate with CoinMarketCap accounts it’s unclear precisely how they were obtained. CoinMarketCap has provided the following statement on the data: “CoinMarketCap has become aware that batches of data have shown up online purporting to be a list of user accounts. While the data lists we have seen are only email addresses (no passwords), we have found a correlation with our subscriber base. We have not found any evidence of a data leak from our own servers — we are actively investigating this issue and will update our subscribers as soon as we have any new information.”
About CoinMarketCap
CoinMarketCap is the organization affected by this breach. User data may have been generated through account creation, service usage, or business operations.
If you have interacted with CoinMarketCap in any capacity, your data may be included in this breach.
Threat Actor: Unknown
The threat actor responsible for this breach has not been publicly identified or confirmed at this time.
- API exploitation
Breach Exploitation Status
Low
Status
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
1–3 years
Email addresses and usernames persist but credentials may rotate. Phishing risk remains elevated during this window.
Data Points Exposed
Dark Web Verification
Status: Confirmed
- Dataset containing approximately 3.1M+ records has been identified in breach intelligence sources.
- The data is indexed and searchable across breach notification platforms.
Impact
This breach carries low risk due to the nature of exposed data fields and the scale of affected records.
- Targeted phishing referencing CoinMarketCap accounts or services
- Physical mail scams and address-based identity verification fraud
- Data broker enrichment and resale
Recommendations for Impacted Individuals
If you believe your information may be included:
Non-clients may request a breach impact review.
CoinMarketCap account updates
Password reset requests
Verify directly through official channels.
Email compromise is often the first pivot point.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Oct, 2021, CoinMarketCap experienced a data breach that resulted in the exposure of approximately 3.1M+ records containing personal information.
The exposed data includes Email addresses.
Approximately 3.1M+ records were affected based on current breach intelligence.
Yes. This breach is treated as confirmed based on data observed in breach intelligence platforms.
Data circulation has been reported across breach-sharing channels. Downstream exploitation risk exists based on the nature of the exposed fields.
Rotate passwords associated with CoinMarketCap, enable multi-factor authentication on email and financial accounts, and monitor for suspicious activity.
Protect Yourself
Check If You’re Affected
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Corporate Accountability
Organizations that collect personal data have a duty to implement reasonable safeguards and to notify affected individuals when breaches occur.
Scope assessments may evolve as investigations continue. Users should not rely solely on early estimates when making risk decisions.
ObscureIQ Advisory
We combine proprietary dark web access with commercial and restricted breach intelligence to verify exposure and assess real-world risk.
- A public-facing individual
- A high-profile executive
- A customer of CoinMarketCap
- Or simply concerned about credential reuse
We can confirm whether your information is circulating and evaluate downstream threat vectors.