On December 8, 2025, a mass armed attack occurred on Bondi Beach in Sydney during an event commemorating the celebration of Hanukkah. 15 people were killed, and more than 40 were injured. The authorities in Australia classified the incident as a terrorist act motivated by anti-Semitism and described this day as one of the most tragic in the country's history.
Some members of the crypto community tried to turn the shooting into a tool for speculation and quick profit.
What happened at Bondi Beach on December 8
The shooting occurred on the afternoon of December 8 at Bondi Beach — one of the most popular and recognizable beaches in Australia. On that day, a public event of the Jewish community was taking place, dedicated to the Hanukkah holiday. According to New South Wales police, two people — a father and son — opened fire on the crowd.
A 50-year-old man was shot dead by police at the scene. His 24-year-old son was injured and taken to the hospital, where he remains under guard. As a result of the attack, 15 people were killed, including a child. More than 40 injured were hospitalized with varying degrees of severity. Already in the first hours after the tragedy, the authorities of Sydney urged residents to urgently donate blood, and makeshift memorials began to appear on the beach and in nearby areas.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident an act of pure evil, terror, and a manifestation of anti-Semitism the next day. He stated the need to review gun legislation and brought this issue to the national cabinet for discussion. It turned out that the older of the attackers had legally owned a firearm since 2015. He had a hunting license.
The tragedy received wide international resonance. Leaders of other countries expressed their condolences, and Muslim organizations in Australia publicly condemned the attack, emphasizing that an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all Australian society.
Meme coin on blood
While mourning continues in Australia, unscrupulous players in the crypto industry have found a way to turn the news into a tool for speculation. A token named Bondi Beach Shooting coin with the ticker $BBS appeared on the market. Its launch coincided with the active dissemination of news about the shooting in global media.
The coin was attempted to be promoted as a typical meme coin on a hot topic — through social media, chats, and anonymous accounts. Some investors bought Bondi Beach Shooting coin in hopes of short-term growth.
The story of $BBS turned out to be predictably short. According to user reports, shortly after its launch, the token developers executed a rug pull scheme — withdrew liquidity and effectively nullified the coin's value. Buyers were left with worthless 'tokens' instead of coins, and the project disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
This episode served as yet another reminder of the dark side of the meme coin culture. The attempt to profit from human tragedy showed that there are still people in the crypto industry willing to monetize even death and violence. The case with $BBS clearly illustrates how any resonant events can be turned into a tool for quick and cynical profit.
Fortunately, there are also opposite examples. Recently, the editorial team of BeInCrypto reported that the crypto community is helping the victims of the earthquake in Turkey.
Do you want access to expert insights? Subscribe to our Telegram channel, gain access to trading signals and market news, and communicate with our analyst. Stay one step ahead of the market every day!
