In a startling development, the hacker group CiberInteligenciaSV has leaked parts of the source code for El Salvador's state-run Bitcoin wallet, Chivo, heightening fears around the security of the national cryptocurrency initiative. This recent exposure was announced on the notorious black hat forum, BreachForums, on April 23, signaling a continuation of security breaches involving the Chivo wallet.

The hackers, in their announcement, stated that they released the code of the Bitcoin ATM network operated by the Chivo wallet, emphasizing that their motive is transparency and not financial gain. This follows an alarming leak earlier in April when personal data of approximately 5.1 million Salvadorans, nearly the entire adult population, was compromised.

The local cybersecurity entity, VenariX, alerted the public about the impending threat a day before the leak, referencing CiberInteligenciaSV’s plans shared via Telegram. The message teased the release of the source code along with VPN access details related to the Chivo network, freely accessible unless the government intervened.

Additionally, the file named Codigo.rar, containing the source code compilation and VPN credentials, was made public by the hacker group. This file pertains specifically to the network of ATMs supporting the Chivo wallet, which allows users to manage Bitcoin transactions including purchases, sales, and withdrawals.

Since its inception in September 2021, when El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, Chivo has faced numerous challenges, including technical issues reported by users. Despite these significant security breaches, the Salvadoran government has yet to officially address the hack or the implications for national cybersecurity.

The silence from official channels has only added to the confusion and concerns regarding the security and stability of El Salvador’s pioneering move to integrate Bitcoin into its official financial architecture.