SEC X Account Hack Over Bitcoin ETF Post Leads to Guilty Plea

An Alabama man pleaded guilty to participating in the hack of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s X account that involved sending a fake social media post announcing the authorization of the first-ever spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

Eric Council Jr., 25, admitted to conspiring to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud in Washington federal court on Monday. Judge Amy Berman Jackson set a sentencing date for May 16.

Prosecutors accused Council of using a fake ID and tricking a local phone store employee into helping him access the victim’s phone. They said that he was guided by ...