Third by volume Bitcoin exchange is down and won't get up. Bitcoins lost.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2828091

by scotty79 • 15 years ago

15 9 15 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

https://bitomat.pl is down - lost vm at amazon, vm with site, wallet and all wallet backups

You can buy bitomat.pl out of its trouble if you can pony up 17000 BTC.

UPDATE:

Users can now withdraw their cash. Fate of their bitcoins remains unknows, although each user after logging in can see how much BTC he had.

scotty793• 15 years ago

Autotranslation of the statement (https://bitomat.pl/Home/Statement ) issued by the exchange creator and owner:

STATEMENT

I wish to hereby inform all users of the service www.bitomat.pl of system failure that occurred on 26 July 2011 and its consequences.

At the outset I would like to apologize for such a long delay in publication of this statement. I explained that it was dictated only by the good service investigation conducted to determine the causes of failure and the people responsible for it. Unfortunately, to date, despite intensive efforts, could not determine these issues. However, I believe that the longer pause to disclose this communication at this stage would be unreasonable. I am also aware that service users are the appropriate explanation.

On 26 July 2011 at about 23:00, I noticed that absorbs all Bitcoin server machine resources, and probably not used for making. So there was need to increase the amount of RAM in the server. As a result of that procedure - suddenly the whole virtual machine has been erased, all data stored on the server has been lost!, Including records concerning bitcoinowego portfolio and its backups (backups).

I have taken action have established that the disappearance of the data was the result of the introduction of virtual server settings, which he never would have introduced. Amazon Web Services Company, which is located servers, website says that the machine that has been cleared has been set up in such a way as to be irretrievably destroyed automatically with the data on disks attached to it at the time of her arrest by the shutdown. We are constantly trying to determine who made changes to these settings and whether it will be able to recover lost data. Unfortunately partnership with Amazon Web Services, which was placed servers service is difficult. Once I realized that I deleted the machine have redeemed the biggest package of technical support, I talked to the manager, asked about the security of disk space, I explained, so far unsuccessfully. Still exerts pressure on the Amazon Web Services to accelerate their activities but without concrete results.

At the moment I am unable to clearly determine the causes of crashes, I suppose that it is the result of actions of third parties, which are causing the server tried to cancel to hide their illegal activities, or intentionally wanted to website disappeared. If my suppositions are confirmed, the fact will let police and prosecutors. At the same time if possible take action through which it would be possible to recreate lost data. But what I need to interact with the server's owner, and that as I mentioned above is difficult.

At this point I wish to inform and assure you that your cash deposited into your bank account service and not converted into BTC and unpaid cash from the sale of BTC remain safe and intact.

Any further findings will you keep. At the same time I am counting on your help in solving the problem.

I realize that the situation is very difficult, and you fear for the fate of their BTC. We are constantly working on a solution to the crisis, and I'm open to your suggestions.

Today I intend to: cancel all active orders so far, restore the site to act, to enable the performance of any operation (in particular the payment of PLN).

Please your suggestions and ideas.

I wish to inform you that I had several conversations with potential investors from home and abroad. Www.bitomat.pl service is on sale for EUR 17,000 BTC. If interested, please contact us at bartek@szabat.com.

jpluscplusm2• 15 years ago

So .. site is run by someone playing at being a Sysadmin who used a service s/he didn't grok (evidenced by their lack of understanding of the difference between ephemeral/instance storage and EBS), and is now trying to blame the service provider for their personal fiduciary failure?

Developers != Sysadmin. Deal with it.

Just because something is easy to get started with doesn't mean you understand it properly.

scotty793• 15 years ago

Epic fails happen.

One thing makes me wonder. Who keeps all backups of such precious thing as bitcoin wallet of bitcoin exchange on virtual machine, the same virtual machine that is used for all operations?

polyfractal• 15 years ago

Another example of Bitcoins being run by a bunch of amateur clowns. Drag this poor excuse for a financial instrument behind the shed and put it down already.

Amincd• 15 years ago

This is not a case of bitcoin being run by any one, this is an independent party running a service dealing with bitcoins, and their service failing. Your comment is like asking the dollar to be dragged behind the shed and put down because of Bernie Madoff engaging in fraud involving dollars.

regularfry• 15 years ago

It is through mistakes like this that the ecosystem will improve.

joe_the_user• 15 years ago

Only if entire bitcoin concept itself is not a mistake or a racket or a scam or the other names that just all, uh, competent economists call it.

After a long series of bank failures, the US learned that financial regulation plays an important role (despite from being far, far from perfect).

Bitcoin's organization stems more ideological predelictions than an understanding of the problems of the existing financial system.

scotty793• 15 years ago

Other thread about same subject here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2828445

Third by volume Bitcoin exchange is down and won't get up. Bitcoins lost.

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