The encryption industry suffers from the largest exchange of exchange in history, with Bybit, the second largest encryption exchange in the world through trading, from a security breach of $ 1.4 billion. Despite the size of the attack, Bybit assured users that he is still a fully solvent and made $ 140 million in an attempt to restore stolen assets.
On February 21, 2025, bybit confirmed that the cold ethereum portfolio was at risk during a routine treatment to a warm portfolio. The attack witnessed $ 1.4 billion in Ether (ETH) and ETH Staped (including STTH and Meth) in an unidentified address.
The Blockchain Zachbt investigator was the first to discover suspicious flows from BYBIT of more than $ 1.46 billion, which later confirmed that it was a security breach. Soon the infiltrator divided the stolen money into 39 separate portfolios, each carrying 10,000 ETHs, before starting a detailed washing process.
Bybit responds at $ 140 million
In response, Bybit has announced a 10 % bonus on any recovered money, which means that security experts are on the chain and moral infiltrators who help in recover assets can earn up to $ 140 million. CEO Ben Zhou stressed that the company is working with senior security companies and industry partners to track stolen encryption. Zhu said in a statement.
“We have been overwhelmed by some of the best people and institutions in this industry. We will rise above this setback and make our security infrastructure stronger than ever,”.
Lazaros group linked to the attack
Zachxbt, Elliptic and Arkham Intelligence are now equalized by the attack on the Lazarus group in North Korea, an online criminal organization sponsored by the country responsible for many prominent encryption theft over the past few years. The stolen money is actively washed through central mixers and bridges through the chain, which increases the complexity of the recovery efforts.
On February 22, 5000 ETH was followed by moving to a new address, with washing a portion through Excr, central mixing service, and a dam to Bitcoin via Chainflip. Investigators believe that these tactics will be used to hide the movement of the remaining money.
Industry support efforts and recovery efforts
Despite the loss, the bybit is still working, with clouds operating at full capacity. The stock exchange also took steps to renew liquidity, buy millions of ETH and receive support from the main encryption companies, including:
- Binance: 5000 ETH
- Bitget: 40,000 ETH
- HTX co -founder du Jun: 10,000 ETH
Tether Paolo Ardoino CEO has confirmed that the company may freeze $ 181,000 in the stolen Usdt associated with hacking. Meanwhile, the authentic pre -bite proof (Por) confirmed that all the assets of the user are still supported 1: 1, reassuring the merchants that the money is still safe despite the attack.
