Bybit Hack: Lazarus Group Launders $138 Million as Crypto Security Fears Grow

Lazarus Group launders $138M from the $1.4B Bybit hack. Can regulations stop future attacks?The recent Bybit hack has rattled the cryptocurrency industry. Hackers stole an astounding $1.4 billion and are rapidly laundering their stolen funds. Security researchers, law enforcement agencies, and industry leaders are responding urgently to contain the damage. The FBI and blockchain analysts are tracking and attempting to block these illegal transactions.

However, hackers keep exploiting security flaws on decentralized platforms. This breach has reignited concerns about weaknesses in crypto security. Some community members are now urging stronger protective measures and improved risk management strategies to prevent future attacks.

Lazarus Group Lanunders Nearly 70% of Stolen Crypto 

The North Korean Lazarus Group hackers masterminded one of the largest crypto hacks in history and stole $1.4B. Now, Lazarus group launders these stolen funds. EmberCN, a crypto researcher, has analyzed this group’s movements and has presented his findings. According to him, in their latest move, the Lazarus Group has laundered  62,200 ETH worth $138 million.

This brings the amount of laundered funds to a staggering 343,000 ETH. With this movement, the hackers covered nearly 68.7% of the 499,000 ETH stolen in the infamous attack. The crypto researcher EmberCN projects that based on the current rate, the total funds will be laundered within three days. Such development is happening despite the FBI’s efforts to curb these hackers’ progress.

FBI Calls for Industry Action

FBI crypto investigation led to the release of a public announcement and addressed the hacking operation as TaderTraitor. This announcement highlighted how Lazarus Group hackers behind TraderTraitor are distributing the stolen funds in thousands of wallets. Moreover, it also mentions how the hackers have turned the assets into Bitcoin and other assets. These assets are expected to be turned into fiat currency after Lazarus Group launders them. 

Image 1 – Provided by FBI, published on crypto.news, March 3, 2025

In this announcement, the FBI also asked private companies and RPC node operators for assistance in this case. They provided addresses that were linked to the hackers and their activity. Moreover, the blockchain analytic firm Elliptic has also helped with the tracking process and has marked 11,000 wallets. As such, the FBI asked exchanges and other asset service providers to block any connection to these wallets and addresses. 

What Went Wrong at Bybit?

According to Chainalysis, despite the FBI crypto investigation, the hackers have used various services without KYC requirements to hide their trail. They have used instant swap platforms, cross-chain services, and decentralized exchanges to launder the stolen assets. This incident has also caused discussions among crypto enthusiasts and the community about the security of crypto platforms.

The release of a forensic review by Bybit also pinpointed the cause of the safe wallet system, further igniting the discourse. The founder of the decentralized data storage network AR.IO, Phil Mataras, highlighted the importance of tamper-proof storage in mitigating hack impacts. 

Louis Bellet, a lead architect in a decentralized network, also mentioned how the industry needs stronger security systems. The CEO of Panther Protocol stated that the hack was caused by poor management rather than a flaw in centralized exchanges. He added that it was shocking that Bybit was not using air-thigh security systems. Moreover, he said it is inexcusable for the safe wallet to allow for such security vulnerability.

How Digital Assets Can Be Made Safer

In the future, Regulators may impose stricter rules on exchanges and decentralized platforms to prevent hacker exploitation. AI-driven security systems and stronger KYC/AML enforcement could become standard to counter cyber threats. Advancements in quantum computing and zero-knowledge proofs might transform security measures, making asset laundering harder for hackers. Authorities and developers will likely collaborate to close loopholes and enhance protection against cyberattacks. The future of digital asset security depends on proactive innovation and global cooperation.