Updated (18th March, 5:43 GMT)

Mt. Gox has apparently updated its website, now allowing users to log in and confirm exactly how much money they have locked away.

The otherwise plain page shows balances both in unobtainable BTC and fiat currency, with no explanation given for the change. It also does not list the exchange’s current bitcoin value.

Mt. Gox’s customer call center confirmed the login page is genuine. A post earlier in the day on Reddit had claimed the site was compromised and someone was collecting login credentials, but this now appears to be a hoax. The call center representative did, however, mention that balances users see after logging in may not be 100% accurate.

Before anyone has their hopes raised too much, a legal announcement underneath each balance reminds users the feature is effectively, for now, of novelty value only:

This balance confirmation service is provided on this site only for the convenience of all users. Please be aware that confirming the balance on this site does not constitute a filing of rehabilitation claims under the civil rehabilitation procedure and note that the balance amounts shown on this site should also not be considered an acknowledgment by MtGox Co., Ltd. of the amount of any rehabilitation claims of users. Rehabilitation claims under a civil rehabilitation procedure become confirmed from a filing which is followed by an investigation procedure. The method for filing claims will be published on this site as soon as we will be in situation to announce it.

Aaron G, who joined the recent doorstop protest at Mt. Gox’s Shibuya office for its duration, said:

“Hackers already liberated the MtGox database, and I was able to confirm my balance there. I’d be much more interested in having MtGox release the wallet addresses so the supposedly stolen coins can be traced.”

He added that he too suspected the ‘compromised page’ warning on Reddit was a hoax, but said if Mt. Gox’s homepage joined its account databases and customer information by falling into hackers’ hands, it would be good reason to petition the court to end the company’s current bankruptcy protection.

Everything still unknown

Users are still in the dark as to whether the balances they see upon logging in actually exist or will ever be made available, in full or even in part. For a few it may be comforting to know that at least a record exists.

Since its site went blank just under a month ago, the only additions posted to Mt. Gox’s home page have been public notices that no further information is available, and more recently legal notices regarding implications of bankruptcy proceedings in Japan and the US.

There was also a warning about customers being targeted by phishing emails asking for login credentials and bank account details.