**Over $380M Worth of Crypto Stolen During Bybit's $1.4B Hack Has Gone Dark**
In a shocking revelation, Bybit's CEO Ben Zhou has revealed that nearly 30% of the cryptocurrency stolen during the exchange's $1.4 billion hack by the North Korean Lazarus Group has become untraceable. The incident, which occurred in mid-July, saw hackers make off with approximately 500,000 Ethereum (ETH) and a staggering $1.4 billion worth of other cryptocurrencies.
The full extent of the hack was first revealed earlier this month, when Bybit announced that it had suffered an unprecedented breach of security. The Lazarus Group, a notorious North Korean hacking collective, was implicated in the attack, with experts suggesting that the group's sophisticated cyber warfare capabilities played a key role in the exploit.
According to Zhou, 27.95% of the funds lost in the hack have become irretrievable, meaning they are no longer linked to any specific address or wallet. This staggering figure highlights the difficulties faced by law enforcement agencies and cryptocurrency exchanges in tracking down and recovering stolen assets.
The breakdown of the stolen funds is as follows: 500,000 ETH (approximately $1.5 billion), making up around 35% of the total loss; $600 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC); $200 million worth of Tether (USDT); and $100 million worth of other cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, a significant portion of the stolen funds remain traceable, with 68.57% still linked to specific addresses or wallets. This raises hopes that law enforcement agencies may be able to recover some of the stolen assets in the coming days and weeks.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community, highlighting the need for greater security measures and cooperation between exchanges, regulators, and law enforcement agencies. As the investigation into the hack continues, one thing is clear: the cryptocurrency industry must adapt to the evolving threats posed by nation-state hackers like the Lazarus Group.
The Bybit incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by cryptocurrency investors and users. With the rise of sophisticated cyber attacks and hacking groups like the Lazarus Group, it is essential that individuals take steps to protect their assets and stay informed about emerging security threats.