Scammers charging Bitcoin tolls in the Strait of Hormuz
Published: April 21, 2026
Duration: 7:39
Scammers posed as Iranian officials. They demanded Bitcoin to let ships pass Hormuz. At least one vessel paid. Strategy just bought 34,000 BTC more. The market barely flinched.
Today's key developments:
• Fraudsters impersonating Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials demanded Bitcoin and USDT from cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz — and at least one vessel appears to have paid.
• Arbitrum's Security Council froze $71.5 million in ETH tied to the $292 million Kelp DAO exploit — but the attacker had already moved $175 million across chains before the freeze landed.
• Strategy bought 34,000 BTC in its latest purchase while Bitmine crossed 4% of total ETH...
Today's key developments:
• Fraudsters impersonating Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials demanded Bitcoin and USDT from cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz — and at least one vessel appears to have paid.
• Arbitrum's Security Council froze $71.5 million in ETH tied to the $292 million Kelp DAO exploit — but the attacker had already moved $175 million across chains before the freeze landed.
• Strategy bought 34,000 BTC in its latest purchase while Bitmine crossed 4% of total ETH...