Bitcoin exchange Bitstamp is back open for business after being taken offline earlier this week to investigate a potential security breach.
Bitstamp CEO Nejc Kodrič explained in a blog post that they took the site offline so they could redeploy from a secure backup onto entirely new hardware. This allowed them to be able to preserve the evidence for a full forensic investigation of the crime.
The downtime was also used to implement several new security measures and protocols so customers can continue to use the service with full confidence and trust. Some of the key improvements include a shift over to Amazon's AWS cloud infrastructure, the aforementioned new hardware installation and implementing BitGo multi-sig technology.
As a "thank you" to the site's loyal customers, all transactions conducted on Bitstamp through the end of the North American Bitcoin Conference will be commission-free. That event runs through January 17 so if you have some trading to do, now would be the time to make it happen.
It's worth reiterating that all balances held at the exchange prior to the security breach will be honored in full meaning customers don't have to foot the loss here.
Kodrič didn't provide any insight into how the hackers infiltrated the system or who might be responsible. The anonymous nature of the cryptocurrency will likely make it incredibly difficult to track down the stolen funds.