The greatest hacking in the history of the crypto is experiencing alarming development. In just 10 days, computer hackers managed to whiten all $ 1.4 billion stolen from the Bybit platform. Despite this speed of execution, blockchain safety experts believe that part of the funds could still be recovered.
The biggest hacking in crypto history now bleached
On February 21, 2025, the Crypto Bybit exchange platform was the victim of an unprecedented computer attack. Pirates stole more than $ 1.4 billion in crypto-active, mainly in the form of Ether (ETH), Staked Ether (Steth) and other tokens based on Ethereum blockchain.
This attack quickly became the largest flight of cryptocurrencies ever recorded, exceeding the previous records established during the hacks of Ronin Network and Poly Network.
According to information Published by Lookonchain, a company specializing in blockchain safety, the pirates have managed to whiten all of the 499,395 eTH stolen, with an approximate value of $ 1.04 billion, in just 10 days.
This laundering operation was mainly carried out via Thorchain, a decentralized protocol allowing exchanges between different blockchains without intermediaries. The speed and efficiency of this money laundering testify to a meticulous preparation and in -depth knowledge of the mechanisms of decentralized finance.
Several blockchain analysis companies, including Arkham Intelligence, have identified the Lazarus group as the main manager of this attack. The North Korean regime supports this collective of hackers, which leads sophisticated operations to finance the Pyongyang nuclear arms program.
Hopes of recovery despite massive whitening
Despite the almost total bleaching of stolen funds, blockchain security experts keep hope for the possibility of recovering part of the assets. Deddy Lavid, co -founder and CEO of Cyvers, a company specializing in blockchain security, says that the authorities can still trace certain funds despite the obscuration attempts.
“” Although the use of mixers and inter-chain exchanges considerably complicates traceability, current technologies based on artificial intelligence and blockchains' analysis, combined with close collaboration with exchange platforms and regulators, can still make it possible to identify and potentially freeze certain active ingredients“, He explains.
Ben Zhou, CEO of Bybit, partially confirms this vision when he declared today on his X account that the authorities can still draw almost 77% of the funds that hackers have stolen. However, he also recognizes that around $ 280 million has completely disappeared from radars, while the authorities have already managed to freeze 3% of the assets.
This major incident pushed the entire Crypto sector to rethink its security measures. Michael Pearl, vice-president of the strategy at Cyvers, notably evokes a promising solution: validation of transactions outside the chain, which could prevent up to 99% of hacks by simulating and validating blockchain operations in a secure environment before their actual execution.
In short, this record flight perfectly illustrates the security challenges faced by the crypto industry. Between increasing sophistication of attacks and need to maintain accessible systems, balance remains difficult to find to effectively protect billions of dollars now in circulation on the various blockchains.
Maximize your Cointribne experience with our 'Read to Earn' program! For each article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start accumulating advantages.
