The US Department of Justice has announced an international operation that disrupted the Sality botnet. According to officials, this network was used to spread malware, launch cyberattacks, and steal cryptocurrency.

What Happened

The takedown went down on August 31, 2026, with authorities from the US, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania teaming up, supported by Europol and Eurojust. Their main goal: cripple the Sality botnet, which bad actors had been using to compromise devices and swipe digital assets.

Who Was Involved

The operation was coordinated by US and European law enforcement, working closely with Europol and Eurojust. Private sector players like CrowdStrike and the Shadowserver Foundation also took part in the effort.

Why This Matters for Crypto

Since Sality was a tool for crypto theft, taking it down could mean fewer wallet hacks and less malware targeting the space. For crypto traders and holders, this is a sign that law enforcement is stepping up collaboration with cybersecurity firms to fight back against infrastructure targeting digital assets.