Streamer with stage 4 cancer loses $32K...What is the Steam game "BlockBlasters" malware incident?
Hi everyone! Jon here. Today, I'm sharing some shocking news that's been making waves in the GameFi and NFT worlds. The Steam game "BlockBlasters" was infected with malware and used in cryptocurrency scams. This is particularly tragic, as a streamer battling stage 4 cancer lost $32,000 (equivalent to approximately 450 million yen). This should be a warning to anyone interested in cryptocurrency games or NFTs. First, let's remember this: even on trusted platforms, be sure to double-check before downloading!
Before we get into the details of this incident, here's one important point to remember when starting out with cryptocurrencies. If you're buying cryptocurrencies for the first time, it's important to choose an exchange that won't disappoint you. Here's a simple comparison of the major services:How to Choose and Compare Cryptocurrency Exchanges for BeginnersAfter reading this, you'll be able to quickly find the exchange that's right for you. I see, safety comes first in order to enjoy the fun of GameFi!
Now, back to the main topic. This news was reported by PlayToEarn.com on September 23, 2025, and it involved Twitch streamer RastalandTV being hacked during a live stream. He was raising funds for cancer treatment, and downloaded a game suggested by a viewer... only to find that it was loaded with malware, which stole all of his money from his crypto wallet. It sounds complicated, but it's actually simple: the game was fake, and malicious code was running in the background.
Details of the incident: A timeline of what happened
First, let's clarify the timeline. Around September 21, 2025, RastalandTV (real name Raivo Plavnieks) was livestreaming on Twitch. He was battling stage 4 cancer and was raising funds for his treatment by issuing $CANCER tokens on a platform called Pump.fun. During this time, a Steam game called "BlockBlasters" was recommended to him through chat, which he downloaded and started playing. Suddenly, $32,000 was stolen from his crypto wallet, and the entire incident was broadcast live. Media outlets such as Kotaku and PC Gamer reported this two weeks ago.
Upon further investigation, it turns out that the game was originally listed on Steam as a regular 2D platform game, with thousands of installs and positive reviews. However, an update introduced malware and a crypto-stealing feature called "drainer." According to BleepingComputer, this happened even though the game was listed as a verified game on Steam in late September. Overall, there are reports of over $150,000 being stolen. Wow, this is a scary point... I was just trying to have fun, but there were pitfalls like this.
- September 21, 2025: Game download during live streaming, immediate damage.
- September 23, 2025: News published on PlayToEarn.com and EGamers.io.
- Around September 24th, 2025: Steam issues a warning to the game (confirmed in X's post).
- September 26, 2025: Yahoo Finance reports on the community support.
This information was gathered from reliable news sites. Valve (the company that runs Steam) has also come under fire for its poor game vetting process, described by Rock Paper Shotgun as "appalling levels of vetting."
How the malware works: What is the crypto-targeting "Drainer"?
Let's break down the terminology a bit. "Malware" is malicious software, similar to a virus. In this case, "BlockBlasters" was disguised as a free game, but it secretly contained a "drainer" that targeted crypto wallets. According to a post by vx-underground, the developer hired someone on Telegram to create the game and uploaded it to Steam. Once installed, the game automatically steals wallet information and transfers funds to another address.
Beginners might be wondering, "What is a crypto wallet?" It's basically a digital wallet for storing virtual currency. GameFi and NFT games use it to trade tokens and use them in-game. The malware in question appears to have specifically targeted wallets related to Solana-based Pump.fun, resulting in the instant disappearance of $32,000 during a live stream. X's technical report stated that the threat actors (bad guys) had no regrets about stealing from cancer patients. Here's the interesting (and scary) part: Sneaking malware into a game update is a clever technique. But don't worry, there are countermeasures!
- Drainer's primary target: cryptocurrency wallets (e.g. MetaMask and Phantom).
- How the damage occurs: Information is extracted in the background while the game is running, and money is automatically transferred.
- Prevention tip: Check multiple Steam reviews and avoid unknown games.
Community Reactions and Future Outlook
Following this incident, the crypto community moved quickly. According to a September 26, 2025, article in Yahoo Finance, RastalandTV's $CANCER tokens garnered support, with donations exceeding the amount stolen. X's post also reported that Steam had issued a warning to the game and that engineers had shut down the malware's C2 infrastructure (command and control server). I see! It's bad news, but it also highlights the warmth of everyone's efforts.
While there has been no official announcement from Valve, media reports have suggested that they may strengthen their review process in the future. However, this is not speculation, but based on existing reports. In the world of GameFi, there are risks, so it's best to always keep an eye on the latest information.
Precautions: Safety Tips for Enjoying GameFi
Finally, we would like to summarize some simple precautions to help our readers enjoy GameFi and NFTs with peace of mind. It may sound complicated, but it's actually simple: don't touch anything suspicious!
- Before downloading a game: Check Steam reviews and developer information. Avoid games with a lot of questionable reviews.
- Protect your wallet: Turn on two-factor authentication and don't connect to unknown apps.
- Check the news: Follow trends on X and trusted media. Specialized accounts like vx-underground may be useful, as in this case.
- How to choose an exchange: Trade cryptocurrency in a safe place. If you are unsure which company to choose, compare them based on fees and ease of use. For a detailed comparison,click here.
Now you can play with peace of mind. Let's all enjoy GameFi safely!
Hey everyone, this is Jon. This incident is truly heartbreaking, but it also shows the strength of the unity of the crypto community. GameFi remains great, so let's educate ourselves and have fun together. Your safety is the most important thing!
This article has been compiled and fact-checked by the author based on the following publicly available information:
- Stage-4 Cancer Streamer Loses $32K to 'BlockBlasters' Steam Game Malware | PlayToEarn
- Steam Game Replaced With Crypto Scam; Streamers Lose Over $150,000
- Streamer Loses $32K to Malware on Steam | GAM3S.GG
- Streamer Fighting Cancer Lost $32K, But Crypto Gave Back Hope
- Stage-4 Cancer Streamer Loses $32K To 'BlockBlasters' Game Malware – EGamers.io
- Malware 'Game' On Steam Stole $32K From Cancer-Stricken Streamer
- Another malware masquerading as a Steam game took tens of thousands from streamer's cancer recovery donations | PC Gamer
- Verified Steam game steals streamer's cancer treatment donations
- Streamer raising funds for cancer care loses $32,000 to Steam game malware thanks to “appalling levels of vetting” | Rock Paper Shotgun
How to choose and compare cryptocurrency exchanges for beginnersclick here .