In a surprising turn of events, a hacker who compromised ZKSync’s admin wallet has returned $5 million worth of stolen tokens after accepting a 10% bounty. This incident, which involved the theft of unclaimed tokens from a recent airdrop, has now been resolved following the hacker’s cooperation with the ZKSync team.
Key Takeaways
- The hacker returned $5 million in stolen tokens to ZKSync.
- A 10% bounty was accepted as part of the resolution.
- The incident involved the theft of unclaimed tokens from an airdrop.
- Tokens are now held by the ZKSync Security Council for further action.
Incident Overview
Last week, ZKSync, a layer-2 blockchain protocol, experienced a significant security breach when an admin wallet was hacked. This breach led to the unauthorized access and theft of unclaimed tokens that were part of a recent airdrop initiative. The incident raised alarms within the crypto community, prompting ZKSync to take immediate action to secure its assets and investigate the breach.
Hacker’s Cooperation
In a bid to resolve the situation amicably, the hacker chose to cooperate with the ZKSync team. They returned the stolen funds within a designated “safe harbor” deadline, a common practice in cybersecurity incidents that allows individuals to return stolen assets without facing legal repercussions. This cooperation not only facilitated the return of the funds but also allowed the hacker to claim a 10% bounty, amounting to $500,000.
Future Steps for ZKSync
Following the return of the tokens, ZKSync has placed the funds in the custody of its Security Council. The council is responsible for determining the next steps regarding the returned assets. A comprehensive investigation report is currently being prepared, which will detail the circumstances surrounding the hack and the measures taken to prevent future incidents.
Community Reactions
The resolution of this incident has garnered mixed reactions from the crypto community. Some members have praised the hacker for returning the funds and cooperating with ZKSync, viewing it as a positive outcome. Others, however, express concern over the security vulnerabilities that allowed such a breach to occur in the first place.
Conclusion
The return of the $5 million in stolen tokens marks a significant moment for ZKSync, showcasing the potential for resolution in the often tumultuous world of cryptocurrency. As the project moves forward, the focus will be on enhancing security measures to protect against future threats and ensuring the integrity of its platform. The final investigation report will provide further insights into the incident and the steps ZKSync plans to take to bolster its defenses.
