Police are drawing on international expertise as they investigate the theft of several million dollars-worth of funds
from Christchurch-based cryptocurrency exchange Cryptopia last week.
Those international contacts include members of the cryptocurrency trading community, Police said in a statement
updating progress to date.
“This is a very complex investigation, involving expert digital forensic investigators from within New Zealand and in
various overseas jurisdictions, as well as overseas authorities.
“Members of the investigation team met with Cryptopia management and staff yesterday and today and outlined progress in
the investigation.”
At least $3.5 million-worth of the funds hacked on the night of January 13-14 are visible in one digital wallet. However
social media reports quoting a cryptocurrency expert have suggested the total amount hacked could be greater - possibly
more than $20 million.
Meanwhile, some money sent from the visible wallet to the giant international cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been
frozen by that exchange.
Police say Cryptopia management and staff have been cooperating and have provided considerable assistance in the
investigation.
“The investigation is expected to take some to time complete, and the digital forensic team will be on-site at
Cryptopia’s premises for some days to come,” the statement said.