Hackers Launder $1.4 Billion Ethereum via Bitcoin Mixers

Bybit Faces Loss as $1.4 Billion Stolen

Bybit has become the largest victim of a crypto hack, with $1.4 billion said to be stolen. CEO Ben Zhou detailed on Twitter that 88.87% of the cryptocurrency remains traceable as of March 20th, 2025. The thieves have converted 86.29% of this Ethereum, amounting to 440,091 ETH, into 12,836 BTC, distributed across 9,117 wallets, averaging about 1.41 BTC per wallet.

The stolen funds were sent through Bitcoin mixers, particularly Wasabi, to obscure their tracks. About 193 BTC was laundered in this way before dispersal to various peer-to-peer vendors, making recovery efforts challenging for authorities and cybersecurity experts.

Crypto Industry Confronts Massive Security Breach

The hack has set a new precedent in the cryptocurrency industry, having surpassed previous high-profile exchange breaches. It emphasizes the dilemma exchanges face with cybersecurity threats. While 7.59% of the funds have gone dark, cybersecurity professionals strive to trace remaining assets.

Authorities and financial institutions are reassessing the efficacy of current security measures. The extensive laundering complicates enforcement efforts, and there are increased calls for regulatory oversight to address vulnerabilities inherent in blockchain commerce.

Expert Insights on the $1.4 Billion Crypto Heist

Previously, major exchanges faced breaches, but this incident stands out as the largest recorded. Similar to past hacks, there’s a concerted effort by exchanges and security firms to develop comprehensive tracking methodologies to close loopholes.

While laundering through mixers and cross-chain swaps complicates recovery, cybersecurity firms leveraging on-chain intelligence, AI-driven models, and collaboration with exchanges and regulators still have small opportunities to trace and potentially freeze assets. – Deddy Lavid, co-founder and CEO of blockchain security firm Cyvers

Expert Deddy Lavid indicates that breakthroughs like AI-driven models could present new solutions. Meanwhile, industry leaders are advocating for innovations such as offchain transaction validation, aiming to tackle hacking attempts preemptively before they can occur.