El Salvador’s Bitcoin Wallet App Chivo Code Exposed by Hackers

Hackers Expose El Salvador’s Chivo Bitcoin Wallet Data

Hackers recently exposed more information about El Salvador’s state-run Bitcoin wallet, Chivo. The hacker group CiberInteligenciaSV leaked part of the software wallet’s source code on BreachForums, a black hat hacking forum.

Details of the Data Leak

• The hackers released over 144 GB of data containing the personal information of 5.1 million Salvadorans who had downloaded the wallet.
• The stolen information included each user’s full name, unique identifying number, date of birth, address, and an HD picture of their face.
• The leaked information also included the file Codigo.rar, which contained code and VPN credentials for El Salvador’s Chivo ATM network.

Government’s Response

The nation’s government is yet to release an official statement regarding either of this month’s hacks.

Background on El Salvador’s Chivo Wallet

El Salvador launched the Chivo wallet in September 2021, alongside its official implementation of Bitcoin as legal tender. The law allowed Bitcoin to be used as official currency, including for tax payments, alongside the US dollar.

Challenges Faced During Rollout

• The rollout of Chivo faced initial challenges, with users reporting software bugs and technical glitches.
• Some users did not receive the promised free $30 for downloading the wallet, while others encountered difficulties withdrawing money from Chivo ATMs.

Future Plans for Chivo ATMs

Last year, the Salvadoran government announced plans to install lightning network technology at over 100 Chivo ATMs across the country by Q4 2024. This technology aims to facilitate faster Bitcoin transactions with lower fees.