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Anonymous Investor Sues Coinbase to Recover Frozen DAI Tied to 2024 Phishing Heist

The suit tests whether on-chain tracing plus a sworn claim can compel a court to order an exchange to release frozen stolen crypto.

Overview

  • An anonymous crypto investor based in Puerto Rico filed a federal case in San Francisco claiming Coinbase is holding DAI taken in a 2024 phishing theft.
  • The complaint says investigators, including blockchain firm Zero Shadow, traced part of the stolen funds to a Coinbase retail account that the exchange then froze.
  • The plaintiff alleges Coinbase refuses to release the frozen assets without a court order despite a sworn statement proving ownership.
  • The theft tracks with an August 2024 scam that used a fake DeFi Saver login built with the Inferno Drainer tool to steal about $55 million in DAI.
  • Key sums in the public filing remain redacted, and Coinbase has not commented, leaving the court to clarify how exchanges should treat frozen, traceable crypto.