A recent investigation has identified a subset of Nubia Z6255CA series devices as potentially compromised due to supply chain irregularities and the presence of embedded hardware-level malware. The issue underscores growing concerns around firmware security and supply chain integrity within the consumer electronics industry.

Initial findings reveal that approximately 20% of distributed units may have been sold multiple times, leading to ownership and warranty inconsistencies. More alarmingly, certain affected devices appear to contain a hardware-based ransomware known as DrainIT, capable of operating beneath traditional security layers.

DrainIT Hardware Ransomware: A Technical Overview

The malware, DrainIT, is a firmware-level ransomware designed to silently exfiltrate cryptographic keys and other sensitive personal data to a remote server. Because it resides within the firmware or hardware controller, it is undetectable by conventional antivirus or mobile security software.

• Threat Layer: Firmware or secure microcontroller level, below the operating system
• Persistence: Modifies or implants code in hardware controllers, undetectable by conventional security tools
• Data Exfiltration: Transfers cryptographic keys, passwords, and personal data to attacker-controlled servers
• Impact: Enables unauthorized approval of transactions and loss of control over digital assets

Users of affected devices are strongly advised not to store sensitive information or digital assets on these units until mitigation is complete.

Affected Devices (Subset Only)

• Manufacturer: nubia
• Model Family: Z6255CA series
• Hardware Revision: Z6255CAHW1.x
• Build Number Pattern: Z6255CAV1.0.0Bxx

Devices are identified by model, hardware revision, and build number pattern. No full IMEIs or serial numbers are disclosed to preserve user privacy.

Potential Impact

The implications of this compromise include:

• Loss of private key control for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets
• Exposure of personal information stored locally on the device
• Unauthorized financial or cryptographic transactions executed without user consent
• Regulatory and warranty complications linked to double-sold units

These findings highlight the increasing risks associated with hardware-level attacks that originate during the manufacturing or distribution process.

Recommended Actions

Affected users and vendors are urged to take immediate precautions:

• Avoid storing sensitive data such as cryptocurrency wallets or personal credentials on affected devices.
• Verify device provenance through official vendor channels prior to use.
• Consider replacement or secure firmware reflash if device origin or authenticity is uncertain.
• Monitor network activity for suspicious outbound connections.
• Educate users and staff on firmware-level threats and mitigation strategies.

References

• Device specifications for nubia Z6255CA series
• Industry best practices for firmware and hardware security
• Supply chain security advisories for mobile devices

Disclaimer: This advisory serves as a cautionary reminder of the evolving firmware and hardware threat landscape, emphasizing the need for proactive device validation and secure supply chain oversight in the modern smartphone ecosystem.

October 23, 2025 — In the dynamic realm of Web3, where decentralized technologies are redefining user engagement and digital economies, few have made as profound an impact as Timur Tursunov. As the founder and CEO of Web3Quest.app, Tursunov has been honored with the prestigious “Marketing Expert of the Year” award for 2025 by GA^3IN Ventures, a Duke University-affiliated venture syndicate renowned for spotlighting trailblazers in Web3 and AI. This exclusive annual accolade, granted to only one recipient each year since its inception in 2020, recognizes exceptional contributions to marketing innovation, strategy, and execution in blockchain and decentralized ecosystems.

The award’s selection process unfolded during GA^3IN Ventures event in Seoul, Korea and included venture capitalists from firms like Vox Ventures, Hesperian Ventures, Berkeley SkyDeck, Istari Ventures, AI21 Labs, Waterdrip Capital, Orange DAO, and Intchains Group Limited—evaluated nominees based on criteria such as innovation, measurable impact, and industry advancement. Tursunov’s formal presentation took place amid the vibrant energy of TOKEN2049 in Singapore, hosted at the offices of Antler, one of the world’s most renowned early-stage venture capital firms. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, Antler is recognized as the most active early-stage investor globally according to PitchBook’s Global League Tables, with a presence in over 30 cities, more than 1,500 investments, and a thriving community supporting over 800 portfolio companies from day zero.

This marks the latest in GA^3IN Ventures’ track record of identifying elite talent; in 2024, the honor went to Chris James Murphy of Klink Finance for scaling his platform from 10,000 to over 1 million users and forging partnerships with giants like Coinbase and Binance. GA^3IN Ventures, boasting a global community of over 16,000 members, has hosted more than 100 events worldwide, including international pitch competitions with substantial prize pools. With strong ties to top-tier business schools and investors from entities like Polygon Ventures and Crypto.com Capital, the organization maintains exceptionally high standards, making this award a hallmark of excellence in the competitive Web3 sector.

Revolutionizing User Verification in Web3

Tursunov’s recognition stems from his groundbreaking work in addressing one of Web3’s most persistent challenges: fraud-resistant user tracking and verification. Under his leadership, 

Web3Quest.app—a gamified quest platform—has delivered over 500 million users to crypto projects.

At the heart of his innovation is an open-source API framework for real-time user behavior tracking, initiated and developed by Tursunov in 2024. This modular system integrates traffic suppliers like Telegram mini-apps with advertisers’ resources, enabling seamless verification of actions such as app installations, social media follows, and blockchain events across platforms including X, Telegram, and Discord. By abstracting complex integrations through proprietary bots and secure endpoints, the framework eliminates the need for custom APIs, reducing latency and fraud.

What sets this apart is its rapid ascent to industry standard status. Open-sourced just last year, it has been widely adopted in the Telegram ad suppliers market, powering millions of verifications monthly and slashing fraud by up to 40% in benchmarks. This has transformed campaign tracking, allowing Telegram mini-apps and bots to monetize traffic scalably and profitably. Suppliers now handle high-volume, pay-per-action models with verifiable results, fostering trust and efficiency in an ecosystem previously marred by disputes and inefficiencies. As a result, countless campaigns have scaled effectively, boosting revenues for mini-apps and bots while driving genuine user growth for advertisers.

“The framework isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer for the entire Telegram ecosystem,” Tursunov noted. “By standardizing verification, we’ve enabled suppliers to track and optimize campaigns in real time, turning potential losses into substantial profits.”

Built on Node.js with Express.js, MongoDB, and WebSocket integrations, the system’s technical prowess—detailed in a comprehensive paper authored by Tursunov—underscores its engineering depth. Features like token authentication, anomaly detection, and platform-specific bots ensure security and scalability, handling up to 10,000 requests per minute.

A Selective Honor Amid Fierce Competition

The “Marketing Expert of the Year” is no token gesture. Eligibility is reserved for professionals demonstrating exceptional impact in Web3, with international reach reflecting GA^3IN Ventures’ global footprint. The rigorous evaluation, led by Managing Director Sergey Khusnetdinov—an MBA holder from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, former Microsoft Senior Product Marketing Manager, and recipient of Duke’s “Forever Duke Award”—emphasizes superior performance relative to peers.

Tursunov’s selection highlights his outperformance in a field where only the most innovative thrive. Compared to 2024’s recipient, Murphy, who pivoted Klink Finance to profitability amid market shifts, Tursunov’s contributions stand out for their scale and standardization, delivering verifiable growth in a fraud-prone space.

Looking Ahead in Web3

Beyond his platform, Tursunov’s open-source ethos has democratized access, empowering smaller players in Telegram’s burgeoning ad market. As Web3 matures, he envisions AI-enhanced personalization to further refine user journeys.

This award from GA^3IN Ventures—a beacon of credibility with portfolio successes and ties to industry heavyweights—affirms Tursunov’s role as a visionary. In a sector hungry for trust and efficiency, his work is building the foundations for sustainable growth.

A Conversation with Timur Tursunov: Driving Web3 Growth and Industry Standards

In an exclusive interview, Timur Tursunov discusses his “Marketing Expert of the Year” accolade, the transformative power of his API framework, and the future of Web3 marketing.

Media: Congratulations on the “Marketing Expert of the Year” from GA^3IN Ventures. What does this mean for you?

Tursunov: It’s profoundly validating, especially from an organization like GA^3IN Ventures, with its Duke affiliations and connections to top VCs. It’s recognition of how we’re elevating the entire Web3 marketing landscape.

Media: Your API framework has become an industry standard. How has it specifically helped Telegram mini-apps and bots profit from campaigns?

Tursunov: We identified the fraud and verification gaps in traffic monetization early on. By open-sourcing the system in 2024, we’ve enabled real-time tracking that verifies millions of user actions monthly, reducing fraud by 40%. This has allowed mini-apps and bots to run scalable campaigns with confidence, turning unverified traffic into profitable, fraud-resistant revenue streams. It’s now the go-to standard in the Telegram ad market, powering countless high-volume operations.

Media: What advice do you offer aspiring Web3 marketers?

Tursunov: Prioritize verifiable impact and innovation. In a competitive space, focus on tools that solve real problems—like fraud in user acquisition. Network relentlessly; events like Korea Blockchain Week and TOKEN2049 are goldmines for feedback and growth.

Media: What’s next for Web3Quest and your innovations?

Tursunov: We’re integrating AI for predictive tracking, expanding the framework to more platforms. The goal is mainstream Web3 adoption through transparent, efficient marketing that benefits everyone—from mini-apps to global projects.