Nomad Hack Suspect’s US Extradition Imminent

A Russian-Israeli national, Alexander Gurevich, faces extradition to the United States following his arrest in Israel. Accused of involvement in the $190 million Nomad bridge hack, Gurevich’s alleged actions include laundering millions and transferring stolen assets. The Jerusalem Post reported on May 5th that he will face an extradition hearing in the Jerusalem District Court.

Gurevich’s apprehension occurred at Ben-Gurion Airport as he attempted to depart for Russia on May 1st, just days after changing his name in Israel’s Population Registry to “Alexander Block” and obtaining a new passport. Authorities allege Gurevich exploited a vulnerability in the Nomad bridge, netting approximately $2.89 million in August 2022. This initial exploit triggered a cascade of copycat attacks, resulting in the total loss of $190 million.

Adding another layer to the case, prosecutors claim Gurevich contacted Nomad’s CTO, James Prestwich, via Telegram under a false identity, admitting to the hack and even returning approximately $162,000. However, subsequent negotiations for a larger reward ultimately failed.

The US filed an eight-count indictment against Gurevich in California’s Northern District on August 16, 2023, followed by a formal extradition request in December 2024. The potential sentence for money laundering in the US — up to 20 years — significantly exceeds the potential sentence in Israel. Gurevich’s presence in Israel in the days preceding the hack has led Israeli officials to suspect he orchestrated the attack while within their borders.

This case underscores the global reach of cryptocurrency crimes and the increasing cooperation between international authorities in pursuing perpetrators. The extradition proceedings will undoubtedly draw significant attention within the crypto community.