Ransomware Attack Halts Nepal's Stock Market Trading

• •Nepal's stock market was closed due to a ransomware attack on DataHub, affecting 72 brokers.
• •The attack disrupted critical trading systems, prompting a precautionary trading halt by Nepse.
• •Forensic investigations are ongoing, with no details on the attackers or ransom demands.

On September 21, 2026, Nepal's stock market was shut down due to a ransomware attack on DataHub Pvt Ltd, the data center hosting the trading systems for 72 brokerage firms. The attack, detected around 4 AM on September 20, disrupted critical systems including the Trading Management System (TMS) and payment gateways, prompting the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) to suspend trading as a precautionary measure. The Stock Brokers' Association of Nepal requested the halt to prevent further damage, as the affected systems remained offline more than 24 hours later. DataHub confirmed that forensic investigations are ongoing, but the identity of the ransomware group and whether any ransom was demanded remain unclear. The incident has raised concerns about the resilience of Nepal's trading infrastructure and the potential risks to investor data. Currently, it is uncertain when trading will resume.