Cryptocurrency Theft of £1.1bn May Be the Biggest Ever in History

Dubai-based cryptocurrency firm Bybit has revealed that hackers stole $1.5 billion (£1.1 billion) worth of digital currency in what could be the largest cryptocurrency theft in history.

Bybit’s founder, Ben Zhou, assured users that their funds were safe and promised to refund any affected customers. The hackers reportedly took the funds from Bybit's Ethereum wallet. Ethereum is the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world, following Bitcoin.

Zhou mentioned that the stolen money could be covered by the company itself or through a loan from business partners. Bybit currently holds assets worth $20 billion (£15 billion).

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According to Bybit, the hackers managed to exploit security features and transferred the stolen funds to an unknown address. This massive theft has had an impact on Ethereum’s value, causing its price to drop by about 4% on Friday, bringing it down to $2,641.41 (£2,090) per coin.

If confirmed, this cyberattack would surpass the previous record of a $620 million (£490 million) theft in 2022. Back then, hackers stole Ethereum and USD Coin from the Ronin Network.

Bybit, founded in 2018, has gained a large customer base, with over 60 million users worldwide. The firm provides access to various cryptocurrencies. Reports suggest that early investors in the company included former U.S. President Donald Trump and ex-PayPal CEO Peter Thiel.

Despite the security breach, Zhou reassured users that Bybit remains financially stable. He stated that even if the stolen funds are not recovered, all customer assets are fully backed and the company can handle the loss.

Bybit has already reported the incident to authorities and is working aggressively to track down the hackers.
Cryptocurrencies have attracted millions of investors, but they have also faced criticism. Some argue that their value is based purely on speculation, making them highly volatile. The recent theft has raised fresh concerns about security in the digital currency world, especially as the industry was trying to rebuild trust.

Adding to the controversy, Donald Trump recently launched his cryptocurrency called TRUMP, even though he admitted knowing little about digital currencies. His coin initially gained high value but has since dropped significantly. This event further highlights the risks and unpredictability of the crypto market.

Security issues in cryptocurrency are not new. In 2014, the crypto exchange Mt. Gox went bankrupt after hackers stole $350 million (£210 million) due to a security loophole. In 2019, another major hack saw $41 million worth of Bitcoin stolen from Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

As the crypto industry continues to grow, experts emphasize the importance of stronger security measures to prevent future hacks. Bybit’s case is another reminder that while digital currencies offer great opportunities, they also come with significant risks.

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