Ukraine PS4 ‘Cryptomine’ Was Actually Mining ‘FIFA’ Game Currency Instead
Image via JESHOOTS.COM / Unsplash (CC0)
Last week, the Security Services of Ukraine (SBU) shut down what was alleged to be the largest crypto farm in the country. It looked a little different from most mines, however, considering that instead of PCs, the miners were using PlayStation 4 units instead. The SBU seized over 3,800 consoles, including 500 video cards and 50 processors.
Now, it’s been revealed that instead of mining Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the like, the alleged “crypto miners” were grinding out FIFA coins instead – yes, the video game. The world’s most popular soccer game is set to introduce new ‘Hypermotion’ technology in its latest 2022 edition.
These FIFA coins are used to buy in-game packs in the soccer game’s FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) mode, which are available for purchase either with FIFA Coins or real-world money. Players can also be traded on the in-game auction house using these tokens.
Turns out, the numerous consoles weren’t busy mining cryptocurrency, but were instead using the PS4s to play the game at once, increasing the number of FIFA Coins they earned.
According to NME, there are several “black-market” sites for the selling and purchasing of FIFA Coins, with some users even selling entire accounts for real-world fees.
Chances are, this “FIFA Farm” was mining in-game coins to sell for actual cash on illegal websites, instead of the usual digital currencies.
[via NME, cover image via JESHOOTS.COM / Unsplash (CC0)]
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