Major Breakthrough: Suspect in $190 Million Nomad Hack Set for Extradition to the U.S.

Alexander Gurevich, a citizen of Russia and Israel, is being prepared for extradition to the United States. Gurevich is accused of being a key player in the $190 million hack of the Nomad bridge, a breach that nearly led to the collapse of the California-based blockchain company in 2022.

Key Takeaways

Alexander Gurevich was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport while attempting to flee to Russia.
He is accused of exploiting a vulnerability in the Nomad bridge, leading to a loss of approximately $190 million.
Gurevich allegedly contacted Nomad's CTO post-hack, seeking a reward for identifying the vulnerability.
U.S. authorities have filed multiple charges against him, including money laundering, which carry severe penalties.

Arrest Details

Gurevich, 47, was apprehended on May 1, 2025, at Ben-Gurion Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Russia using a newly acquired passport under the name "Alexander Block." His arrest marks the first time the identity of the main suspect in the Nomad hack has been publicly revealed.

Israeli authorities acted on a U.S. extradition request, which detailed Gurevich's alleged involvement in a series of computer crimes, including laundering millions of dollars and transferring stolen property. Following his arrest, the Israeli State Attorney's Office submitted a petition to the Jerusalem District Court to declare him extraditable to the U.S.

The Nomad Hack

The Nomad bridge hack occurred on August 1, 2022, when Gurevich reportedly identified a vulnerability in the system. He exploited this flaw to withdraw approximately $2.89 million in digital tokens. Shortly after, other hackers discovered the same vulnerability, leading to total losses estimated at $190 million.

Timeline of Events

August 1, 2022: Nomad bridge suffers a major hack.
April 19, 2025: Gurevich returns to Israel from an overseas trip.
April 29, 2025: Changes his name to "Alexander Block" in Israel's Population Registry.
May 1, 2025: Arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport while attempting to flee.

Communication with Nomad

Following the hack, Gurevich allegedly reached out to Nomad's Chief Technology Officer, James Prestwich, via Telegram. He admitted to probing for weaknesses and expressed remorse for the trouble caused. Gurevich even transferred about $162,000 back to a recovery wallet set up by Nomad.

However, he later demanded a reward of $500,000 for identifying the vulnerability, which led to further negotiations. Prestwich offered him 10% of the stolen assets, but Gurevich ceased communication after that.

Legal Implications

Gurevich faces an eight-count indictment in the Northern District of California, with charges that include money laundering and other computer-related offenses. The penalties in the U.S. are significantly harsher than those he would face in Israel, with some charges carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison.

If extradited and convicted, Gurevich will not be eligible to serve his sentence in Israel, as he was not a resident at the time of the alleged crimes. The case is being handled by the State Attorney’s Office International Department, with a hearing scheduled to determine his extradition status.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in securing cryptocurrency platforms and the legal complexities surrounding cybercrime in a global context. As the situation unfolds, it will be closely monitored by both law enforcement and the cryptocurrency community.

Sources

Nomad Hacker Suspect Arrested in Israel to Be Extradited to US, NFTgators.
Suspect in $190M Nomad hack to be extradited to the US: Report, Cointelegraph.
Israel arrests crypto hack suspect wanted by US for extradition - Israel News, The Jerusalem Post.

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