Hacker Behind Fake Bitcoin ETF Post Pleads Not Guilty⁉️⁉️
Eric Council Jr., accused of hacking the SEC’s X account and posting a fake announcement about Bitcoin ETF approval, pleaded not guilty in a DC courtroom on Oct. 25. The post, which falsely claimed the SEC had approved spot Bitcoin ETFs, briefly shook the markets in January 2024 before it was removed.
Council Jr. faces charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. Authorities allege that he participated in a SIM swap attack to take control of the SEC’s account, exploiting the lack of two-factor authentication. Arrested in Alabama on Oct. 17, Council Jr. may be offered a plea deal, though the status of other suspects in the case remains unclear.
