In a shocking development, cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has fallen victim to one of the largest crypto hacks ever recorded, with hackers stealing over $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH) from the platform’s cold wallet. This incident marks a critical moment in the digital asset industry, raising concerns over cybersecurity measures and market stability.

How the Hack Happened: Exploiting Vulnerabilities

The attack targeted Bybit’s Ethereum cold wallet, which is typically considered secure due to its offline nature. According to Bybit’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Zhou, the hackers exploited a “masked” user interface (UI) and URL to deceive wallet signers into unknowingly approving a malicious transaction. This clever manipulation allowed the attackers to alter the smart contract logic, gaining full control of the cold wallet and draining its contents.

Blockchain analysis reveals that the stolen assets include:

• 401,347 ETH
• 90,376 stETH (staked ETH)
• 15,000 cmETH (cross-chain wrapped ETH)
• 8,000 mETH (multi-chain ETH)

In total, the theft amounts to over $1.4 billion based on current market prices, making it one of the most significant security breaches in cryptocurrency history.

Immediate Response and Security Measures

Ben Zhou addressed the incident publicly, reassuring users that other cold wallets remain secure and that withdrawals are still operational. He emphasized that Bybit maintains a 1:1 asset reserve ratio, ensuring that user funds are protected. To cover the loss, Bybit secured a bridge loan that accounts for 80% of the stolen ETH, eliminating the need for an immediate large-scale purchase of ETH in the spot market.

Market Reaction: Volatility and Speculation

News of the hack sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency market, causing heightened volatility, especially for Ethereum (ETH). According to data from CoinMarketCap (CMC), ETH initially dropped from $2,828 to $2,708, marking a 4.2% decline. However, speculation that Bybit might need to repurchase ETH to cover losses led to a brief rebound of 3.36%, pushing the price back up to $2,759 within just 10 minutes.

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This surge was short-lived. During a livestream, Ben Zhou clarified that Bybit’s bridge loan would cover most of the loss, reducing the need to buy large amounts of ETH on the open market. This announcement shifted market sentiment, triggering renewed selling pressure as investors anticipated potential sell-offs by the hacker and broader risk aversion.

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Will the Hacker Sell? Challenges of Liquidating Stolen ETH

The hacker now holds more than 500,000 ETH, surpassing the holdings of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who reportedly holds around 240,000 ETH. The stolen funds have been distributed across 53 wallets, which are being actively monitored by blockchain security firms and smart contract auditing teams.

Selling such a large volume of ETH poses significant challenges for the hacker:

1. Real-Time Tracking: Blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis, Elliptic, and Nansen are monitoring the wallets in real time, making it difficult to move the stolen funds without detection.
2. Liquidity and Market Impact: Offloading this volume of ETH on the open market would likely cause a major price crash, similar to what would happen if Vitalik Buterin were to sell his holdings all at once—only twice as impactful.
3. Alternative Liquidation Methods: The hacker may attempt to use crypto mixers like Tornado Cash to obfuscate the transaction trail, although regulatory scrutiny and improved tracking technology have made this method less effective.

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Timing and Broader Implications for ETH

The timing of the hack is particularly notable, as it coincides with ETHDenver, one of the largest annual conferences in the Ethereum ecosystem. Typically a catalyst for bullish sentiment, ETHDenver often features major project announcements and technological advancements. However, this year’s event is overshadowed by recent controversies within the Ethereum community and criticism directed at Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum Foundation.

Combined with the Bybit hack, these factors have dampened market enthusiasm, casting a bearish shadow over an event that usually drives positive momentum for ETH.

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The Road Ahead: What Traders Should Expect

The cryptocurrency market is currently experiencing heightened volatility, with traders reacting sharply to both factual developments and speculative rumours. For example, the false assumption that Bybit would purchase large amounts of ETH temporarily drove prices up before Ben Zhou’s clarification reversed the trend.

Given the ongoing investigation and uncertainty surrounding the hacker’s next moves, significant price fluctuations are expected in the coming days. Traders, especially those using leverage, should exercise caution and closely monitor developments as the situation unfolds.

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Security Lessons and Industry Impact

The Bybit hack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist in the cryptocurrency industry, even for platforms with advanced security measures. It underscores the need for continuous innovation in cybersecurity and stricter protocols to prevent unauthorized access to cold wallets.

Moving forward, industry stakeholders, including exchanges, regulators, and security firms, must collaborate to enhance protections against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Meanwhile, users should remain vigilant, ensuring they store their assets securely and stay informed about the latest developments in digital asset security.

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In a landmark move for both the crypto and political spheres, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially been confirmed as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). This confirmation marks a significant moment, not just for healthcare policy, but for the broader Bitcoin and decentralised finance landscape. Pro-Bitcoin Advocate RFK Jr now makes his way into making some big changes.

RFK Jr.’s Stance on Bitcoin and Financial Freedom

A long-time advocate for financial sovereignty, Kennedy has been vocal about his support for Bitcoin and decentralised currencies. During his 2024 presidential campaign, he proposed bold initiatives, including:

• Encouraging the US Treasury to hold Bitcoin reserves as a hedge against inflation.
• Strengthening crypto regulations in favour of individual financial autonomy.
• Opposing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) due to concerns over government overreach and financial surveillance.

His confirmation now raises major questions about how his crypto-friendly policies might impact financial and healthcare sectors in the United States.

How This Affects Crypto Policy in the US

With RFK Jr. holding a key role in the Biden administration, could we see a shift in the government’s stance towards Bitcoin and decentralised finance (DeFi)? Key areas of interest include:

💰 Potential Bitcoin Treasury Reserves – Will the US government embrace BTC as a hedge?
🏛 Regulatory Changes – Could Kennedy push for pro-crypto regulations that protect digital assets?
🛑 CBDC Opposition – His appointment might slow down government-backed digital currencies in favour of decentralised solutions.

RFK Jr.’s Role in Healthcare and Crypto Policy

Beyond his crypto advocacy, RFK Jr. is stepping into a critical role overseeing public health policies, healthcare funding, and pharmaceutical regulations. His tenure may see a significant overhaul of current policies, particularly concerning medical freedom, vaccine mandates, and the integration of blockchain technology into the healthcare sector.

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Blockchain-based solutions could enhance medical record security, streamline healthcare transactions, and improve supply chain transparency. With Kennedy at the helm, we might witness increased adoption of decentralised technology in health services, creating a more transparent and secure system for patient data management.

The Future of Decentralisation in Government

Kennedy’s appointment is a bold step towards the integration of decentralised financial and technological solutions into government infrastructure. While his influence within the administration will be tested, his ability to advocate for economic and digital freedom within a structured government framework will set a precedent for future discussions around cryptocurrency and decentralised governance.

The global crypto community is keeping a close watch on how Kennedy balances health policy with financial innovation. His actions could determine whether Bitcoin gains further legitimacy within government reserves, or if his influence remains largely symbolic within the broader regulatory landscape.

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Kanye West, now known as Ye, has revealed that he turned down a $2 million offer to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The offer allegedly involved posting about a fake cryptocurrency to his 32.6 million followers, keeping the post live for eight hours, and later claiming his account had been hacked. Kanye West Rejects $2M Crypto Scam is the headline many were not surprised to see this morning.

Had Ye accepted the deal, the scam could have caused huge financial losses for unsuspecting investors who might have bought into the fraudulent token before it collapsed.

Ye Speaks Out About the Crypto Scam Offer

In a Feb. 7 post on X, Ye shared:

“I was proposed 2 million dollars to scam my community. Those left of it. I said no and stopped working with their person who proposed it.”

He also included screenshots of the proposal, revealing that he would have been paid $750,000 upfront to promote the fake token. After keeping the post live for eight hours, he was instructed to claim his account had been hacked. 16 hours later, he would receive another $1.25 million payout.

“The company asking you to do this will be scamming the public out of tens of millions of dollars,” the message warned.

By exposing this fraudulent scheme, Ye has sparked a major discussion on celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrency scams and their impact on retail investors.

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Kanye’s Crypto Connection?

Shortly after posting the scam details, Ye also shared a screenshot of a private conversation, in which he asked an unnamed X user for a “crypto connect” that would bypass middlemen. The user responded by naming Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and even offered to connect Ye directly with him.

This has led to speculation that Kanye may be exploring the crypto space in a more legitimate way, possibly for future projects.

Crypto Experts Weigh In

Several prominent crypto analysts have shared their views on Ye’s revelation.

🔹 Armeanio, a well-known figure in the crypto world, suggested that instead of launching a memecoin, Ye should consider using cryptocurrency to sell his merchandise directly.

🔹 Crypto Vic believes Ye isn’t actually planning to enter crypto at all and that this could simply be a marketing stunt to create hype ahead of his upcoming album release.

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“He is a master marketer,” Crypto Vic added.

Memecoin Madness: The Bigger Picture

Kanye’s rejection of this crypto scam comes at a time when celebrity-backed tokens are becoming increasingly common—and controversial.

Recent high-profile celebrity memecoins include:

🚨 Haliey Welch’s HAWK Token – Launched in Dec. 2024, the memecoin hit a $490 million market cap before crashing 91% in just 24 hours. Welch later claimed she had been deceived by the project manager.

🚨 Donald Trump’s TRUMP Token – Released just before his 2025 inauguration, the memecoin saw huge gains, only to drop 38% after Melania Trump launched her own token.

🚨 A Growing Risk for First-Time Investors – A recent survey found that many buyers of Trump’s memecoins were first-time crypto investors, highlighting how celebrity tokens can lure in uninformed buyers before experiencing major losses.

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As of monday morning, Kanye’s X account is no longer showing on X following a weekend of tirades fired off by the musician aimed at the Jewish community around the world. At the time of writing, it is not clear if he has deleted his own account or has been banned by X.

Final Thoughts: Kanye’s Warning to the Crypto World

While Kanye West’s $2 million rejection is making headlines, it also serves as a wake-up call about how celebrity-endorsed crypto promotions can easily turn into scams.

🚀 Will Kanye enter crypto for real? Is this just part of his marketing genius?
🔥 One thing is for sure: the conversation isn’t over.

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