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Raj Gokal, co-founder of Solana, finds himself at the center of controversy after a data leak connected to a high-profile Instagram hack.
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This incident highlights emerging threats in the crypto space, as personal data becomes fodder for extortionists.
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A notable tweet from blockchain investigator ZachXBT emphasizes the use of social engineering in the breach.
Solana co-founder Raj Gokal’s personal data was leaked via a hacked Instagram account, raising alarms over security in the crypto sector.
Hackers Leak Solana Co-Founder’s Private Data
The hackers shared at least seven images with Migos’ 13 million followers. While hacking high-profile accounts to promote meme coins or conduct rug pulls is unfortunately common, this incident stood out due to an apparently failed extortion attempt. The controversial breach is indicative of a broader pattern of attacks targeting crypto leaders.
Hackers allegedly demanded 40 Bitcoin (BTC) from Gokal, as evidenced by the captions accompanying his images. The phrase “You should’ve paid the 40 BTC” elevated the stakes, suggesting a clear motive behind the hacking.
In a particularly alarming move, another image featured Gokal displaying his passport with demanding captions like, “It was only 40 BTC… should’ve paid.” Such brazen behavior by the hackers signals a troubling trend where personal data is weaponized.
BREAKING:
Famous rapper Migos’ IG account appears to be hacked and has posted photos of Solana co-founder @rajgokal ID, passport, & more with sensitive info leaked.
Caption reads “you should’ve paid the 40 BTC,” suggesting an attempt at extortion. pic.twitter.com/HM9y2XRjMa
— Andy (@ayyyeandy) May 27, 2025
Moreover, the leaked content included private information like Gokal’s phone number and even introduced a figure identified as “Arvind.” The breach calls into question the security measures in place within the crypto sector.
The posts remained visible for about 90 minutes before Meta removed them and regained control of the account. This case not only jeopardizes Gokal’s privacy but also raises concerns about the potential misuse of highly sensitive data.
Blockchain investigator ZachXBT weighed in on the incident, suggesting that Gokal’s personal accounts were likely targeted through social engineering tactics. He stated, “They tried to extort him for funds with the PII obtained. Guess he didn’t pay, so they started trolling and posted it after they compromised the Migos Instagram account today.”
This attack follows Gokal’s earlier warnings about repeated attempts to access his online accounts. He cautioned followers on X about ongoing attempts to breach his communication platforms, indicating a troubling increase in targeted attacks.
Is Solana Co-Founder’s Data Leak Linked to the Coinbase Breach?
The nature of the leaked images raised eyebrows, suggesting they could be Know Your Customer (KYC) verification files. This potential link to the recent Coinbase data breach has generated discussions among analysts and experts.
COINOTAG previously reported that Coinbase suffered a data breach affecting roughly 1% of its monthly active users, which was made public after hackers demanded a $20 million ransom—a sum Coinbase opted not to pay.
An analyst remarked, “If they have the KYC for the founders of Solana, then they have KYC for every single person that ever used their platform.” Such comments illustrate the dangerous ramifications of this latest breach.
Despite the increased speculation, no concrete evidence ties Coinbase to Gokal’s data leak. Furthermore, Meta has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident. As of now, Gokal has not commented officially, leaving the crypto community to ponder the implications.
Conclusion
This incident starkly highlights the vulnerabilities associated with crypto-related identities amid rising extortion tactics. The blend of social engineering and public exposure raises critical questions about the adequacy of security in digital finance. As the community reflects on this serious breach, ongoing dialogue around data security remains essential for protecting individual and institutional interests in the crypto space.
