Ronin: Whitehats return $10m in Ether after MEV bug

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the ever-evolving world of finance, I must admit that the events surrounding Ronin Network have been a rollercoaster ride to say the least. The latest incident involving the recovery of around $10 million in digital assets stolen via an MEV exploit is indeed a positive development, albeit a stark reminder of the challenges faced by decentralized finance protocols.


On August 6, Ronin Network successfully retrieved approximately $10 million worth of digital assets that were previously stolen through an MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) exploit.

Based on a recent post on X, it’s reported that the whitehat hackers recovered approximately 4,000 units of Ethereum (ETH) that were stolen from Axie Infinity’s Ronin Bridge due to a Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) glitch.

In simpler terms, MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) represents the highest amount of benefit that blockchain miners or validators can derive from arranging transactions without requiring permission. This concept is often referred to as a “hidden fee” or “invisible tax,” which is collected by knowledgeable players within the crypto sphere and is frequently debated among crypto enthusiasts.

Ronin Network announced that those who returned the funds would be awarded a $500,000 prize as part of a bug bounty program. This practice of compensating ethical hackers for identifying weaknesses is prevalent in web3, and it motivates security professionals to make money by scrutinizing decentralized finance systems.

To prevent recurring issues like these, we’ll conduct an inspection of our bridge and set up a fresh system for managing cross-chain transactions at our terminal.

As a crypto investor, I’m excited to share that our team is planning to transition the management of the bridge to a fresh setup. We’re collaborating closely with the Ronin validators to introduce a novel solution, and will keep everyone informed about this development as it unfolds.

Latest News:

— Ronin (@Ronin_Network) August 6, 2024

Previous Ronin hacks

Over the years, Ronin Network (RON) and its connecting service have faced challenging periods. In a significant incident that occurred in March 2022, an infamous North Korean hacker group known as Lazarus managed to steal approximately $600 million from a side chain. This event is widely recognized as one of the largest cyber heists in the history of cryptocurrencies.

In February 2024, thieves managed to pilfer $9.7 million from Axie Infinity’s co-founder Jeff “Jihoz” Zirlin. Despite facing severe challenges, the cross-chain bridge has bounced back, secured a listing on Coinbase, and is looking forward to navigating through challenging times. Notable entities like Binance have extended their support to the network and are assisting in compensating affected users.

Read More

2024-08-06 21:12