Hackers Exploit Crypto Market Crash to Buy Discounted $40 Million Ether

As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience navigating the digital currency landscape, these recent developments have left me feeling both disheartened and enlightened. The audacity of these hackers to capitalize on market downturns by laundering their ill-gotten gains through platforms like Tornado Cash is nothing short of infuriating.


In a bold move exploiting the situation, hackers associated with the August 2022 Nomad Bridge hack seized the chance to buy Ethereum at a reduced price by employing funds from their heists. Specifically, on August 5, the hacker procured 16,892 Ether using stolen Dai tokens tied to the high-profile Nomad Bridge hack of August 2022. This action unfolded as Ethereum’s value dropped more than 20% within just a dozen hours.

As reported by blockchain analysis company Lookonchain, the individual behind the Nomad Bridge hack transferred 39.75 million pilfered DAI tokens to procure 16,892 Ether (ETH). This transaction took place after a significant drop in Ether’s price, which fell from around $2,760 to $2,172.

Hackers Exploit Crypto Market Crash to Buy Discounted $40 Million Ether

Immediately following obtaining the Ether, the hacker started moving the digital assets to the cryptocurrency tumbler known as Tornado Cash – a service often employed by individuals with ill intentions to mask their transaction histories and clean illegally acquired money.

According to PeckShield, another blockchain analysis company, they’ve found that the hacker behind the Nomad exploit initially sent 17.75 Ether to a secondary wallet and subsequently transferred roughly 2,400 Ether (equivalent to around $7 million) to Tornado Cash.

Hackers Exploit Crypto Market Crash to Buy Discounted $40 Million Ether

In a similar incident involving funds linked to the 2021 hack on Pancake Bunny, transactions were observed during the current market turbulence. The Pancake Bunny platform, a decentralized finance system on the BNB Smart Chain, was earlier targeted in a flash loan attack. More recently, on July 8, the hacker responsible for the Pancake Bunny breach moved approximately $2.9 million worth of Ether through Tornado Cash.

Hackers Exploit Crypto Market Crash to Buy Discounted $40 Million Ether

Investigators in the blockchain field draw attention to an atypical transaction involving 3.6 million DAI, which were accidentally transferred to a DAI stablecoin account and are linked to the Pancake Bunny exploit. This incident emphasizes the potential dangers related to managing funds that have been stolen or improperly directed within the cryptocurrency sphere.

As a analyst delving into the world of cryptocurrencies, I can’t help but notice the recurring instances of cyber attacks orchestrated by cunning hackers in this space. These individuals capitalize on market fluctuations to their benefit, making it all the more challenging to maintain security. The use of mixing services such as Tornado Cash adds an extra layer of complexity to these crimes, as the traced and recovered assets become increasingly elusive. This situation continues to pose significant hurdles for law enforcement agencies and the entire crypto community, demanding our collective vigilance and innovative solutions to ensure a safer digital economy.

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2024-08-05 17:40