Israel Extradites Alexander Block to U.S. for $2.8 Million Nomad Bridge Theft

Israel has extradited Alexander Block (formerly Alexander Gurevich), an Israeli‑Russian citizen, to the United States to face federal charges for allegedly stealing about $2.8 million from the crypto bridge Nomad in August 2022. Block used a June 2022 software update flaw that allowed users to receive tokens on one blockchain without locking the equivalent assets on another. After six test transfers, he conducted four main transfers, moving the stolen tokens through multiple wallets and converting them to other cryptocurrencies. His actions exposed the flaw to other users, who subsequently drained a Nomad‑controlled wallet holding more than $186 million in user funds. Israel’s Supreme Court rejected Block’s appeal, ruling that exploiting a programming flaw can constitute unlawful computer intrusion even when the software permits the action. The U.S. federal grand jury indicted Block in August 2023 on four counts of computer fraud, one count of transporting stolen property, and three counts of money laundering.