Hackers who stole nearly $8 million worth of ether from crypto exchange HTX have returned the majority of the funds after the exchange said it had identified them, according to LookOnChain.
On September 24, HTX’s hot wallet was hacked and about 5,000 ether were stolen, worth approximately $7.9 million at the time. The Singapore-based exchange, formerly known as Huobi, immediately informed the hacker via an Etherscan message that it had confirmed their true identity.
HTX requested the return of the stolen crypto funds and offered a 5% “white hat” bonus, valid until October 2, if the funds were returned. This week, the hacker sent back 4,999 ether to HTX, keeping just 1 ether from the original theft.
While crypto hacks have become common, it is extremely rare for stolen funds to be returned. HTX’s ability to identify the hackers likely prompted them to retreat and send back the majority of the money. The “white hat” bonus refers to ethical hackers who point out system vulnerabilities without exploiting them.
HTX has praised the hacker’s “white hat” decision while reiterating that hacking attempts on the exchange will not be tolerated. The company has not revealed how it identified the hacker. Crypto exchanges are increasingly improving security measures to thwart cyber attacks targeting digital wallets and assets.
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