Hackers Exploit Crypto Market Crash to Purchase More Ether (ETH)

The crypto market is experiencing a wild ride, and while many investors are feeling the pinch, some are seeing it as an opportunity. Surprisingly, hackers are among those capitalizing on the chaos. Recent on-chain analysis reveals that stolen funds are being used to purchase Ether (ETH) during this downturn. Let’s dive into the details of these exploits and how they’re impacting the market.

Hackers Exploit Market Dip to Accumulate ETH

Amid the crypto market downturn, hackers are seizing the opportunity to acquire more digital assets. On-chain data reveals two notable incidents where stolen funds were used to purchase Ethereum (ETH). Lookonchain, an on-chain smart money tracker, identified transactions involving the Nomad Bridge Exploiter.

Lookonchain

These hackers managed to acquire 16,892 ETH by sending 39.75 million DAI during the latest market dip. Despite widespread panic triggered by Bitcoin’s plunge, the exploiters strategically deposited their newly acquired ETH into Tornado Cash. Notably, the accumulation began as ETH’s price plummeted to as low as $2,100.

PancakeBunny Hackers Re-emerge

Remember the PancakeBunny protocol exploit on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) in May 2021? It resulted in the theft of over $200 million worth of crypto. Well, the same hackers are back.

According to PeckShieldAlert, they recently swapped 7.8 million DAI for 2,922 ETH during the market downturn. Their previous attack involved manipulating prices on PancakeSwap, allowing them to borrow a substantial amount of BNB and crash the BUNNY token’s value.

What’s the Impact on the Global Crypto Market Cap?

These buying sprees are occurring against the backdrop of a broader market decline. The global crypto market cap has plummeted, dipping below $2 trillion for the first time in months.

• Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, lost more than 14%, reaching a low of $49,000.
• Ethereum followed suit, dropping over 24% to hit $2,200.

The Infamous Nomad Bridge Hack: A Recap

The Nomad Bridge, a blockchain bridge, fell victim to a hack in August 2022. By exploiting a misconfiguration in the project’s main smart contract, attackers looted nearly $200 million worth of cryptocurrency.

Paradigm researcher Samczsun shed light on the incident, revealing that the flaw allowed anyone to replace a recipient’s address with their own. This enabled unauthorized withdrawals of assets, even those not belonging to the attackers.

Here’s a quick summary of the Nomad Bridge Hack:

1. Exploit: Misconfiguration in the smart contract.
2. Losses: Nearly $200 million in cryptocurrency.
3. Vulnerability: Ability to replace recipient addresses.

Staying Vigilant in a Volatile Market

As the crypto market remains volatile, vigilance against such exploits is crucial. Investors and projects alike must stay informed and take necessary precautions to safeguard their assets from opportunistic hackers. The recent activities of hackers exploiting market dips to accumulate ETH serve as a stark reminder of the risks and opportunities present in the crypto world.