Bybit Hacked: $1.46 Billion in Ethereum Stolen, CEO Assures Solvency Amid Crypto Security Concerns
February 21, 2025
In response to the crisis, major exchanges like Binance and Bitget have rallied to provide emergency liquidity support to Bybit, demonstrating solidarity within the crypto community.
Corey Frayer, a former SEC crypto policy advisor, pointed out the risks faced by investors, indicating that even established crypto firms are vulnerable to significant losses.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Bybit users are left uncertain about the recovery of their funds; however, Zhou has stated that all users will be reimbursed from existing reserves.
In response to the hack, Bybit is committed to fundamentally transforming its security infrastructure and improving liquidity to better protect users and strengthen the industry against future threats.
Bybit, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has reportedly suffered a significant hack, resulting in the withdrawal of over $1.46 billion in Ethereum from its hot wallets.
Organizations lacking comprehensive security measures, such as air-gapped systems and multiple transaction verification layers, are at heightened risk of such attacks.
This breach raises serious concerns about security vulnerabilities within the cryptocurrency industry, which continues to face hurdles in achieving mainstream adoption.
The attack strategy employed involved targeted social engineering campaigns aimed at key personnel within organizations, highlighting the shift from exploiting code vulnerabilities to focusing on human and operational security.
In light of the incident, Bybit's CEO Ben Zhou has reassured investors that the company can remain solvent even if the stolen funds are not recovered, emphasizing, 'We can cover the loss.'
The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures across the cryptocurrency industry to protect against similar attacks in the future.
Industry partners, including experts who have traveled to Dubai to assist, are actively working to identify the root cause of the hack and prevent further incidents.
Zhou expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the crypto community, which has been crucial in laying the groundwork for improved security measures across the industry.
Summary based on 62 sources
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Sources

The New York Times • Feb 22, 2025
Big Day for Crypto Goes South After Bybit Hack
BBC News • Feb 22, 2025
Cryptocurrency theft of £1.1bn could be biggest ever
Forbes • Feb 22, 2025
Korean Hackers Steal $1.5 Billion From Cryptocurrency Exchange
TechCrunch • Feb 21, 2025
Crypto exchange Bybit says it was hacked and lost around $1.4 billion | TechCrunch