Imagine this: a 25-year-old from Athens, Alabama, gets caught up in a plot to trick the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The plan? Hack into the SEC's X account and post fake news about Bitcoin. In January, this young man, Eric Council Jr. , did just that. He helped some unknown friends hack into the SEC's account and announce that Bitcoin exchange-traded funds were approved. This false news caused Bitcoin prices to jump by $1, 000 in just minutes. The SEC quickly said it was a lie and deleted the post.

This hack didn't just affect Bitcoin prices; it also raised big questions about security on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. People started wondering if their accounts were safe. Council wasn't acting alone. He had help from some unknown friends who found someone with access to the SEC's X account. They told Council what to do to switch the victim's phone to a new device and post the false message.

After the hack, Council got paid in Bitcoin. He even drove to Birmingham to return an iPhone. But things got scary for him. He started looking up signs that the FBI might be after him and how to delete accounts on Telegram, an encrypted messaging app. The SEC didn't comment on the arrest. Council is now facing serious charges for his part in this scheme.

The next day, in a twist, the SEC actually approved Bitcoin ETFs, bringing the cryptocurrency further into the mainstream. This case shows how a small action can have big consequences, even in the world of cryptocurrency.

A Young Alabamian's Daring Bitcoin Scheme

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