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Bybit CEO Confirms Closing ETH Gap, Exchange Back to 100% Reserves After Record $1.5B Hack

Published 24 February 2025
Prashant Jha
Authors
Edited by Insha Zia

Key Takeaways

  • Bybit replenished its $1.5 billion deficit within three days following the most significant crypto hack in history.
  • The gap was filled using a combination of loans from competitor exchanges, buybacks from reserves, and whale deposits.
  • Withdrawals, which initially spiked post-hack, have now returned to normal.

Just days after falling victim to the largest crypto hack on record, Bybit has fully replenished the 446,870 ETH ($1.23 billion) drained from its wallets.

The breach, which targeted Bybit’s Ethereum reserves last Friday, was later attributed to North Korea’s notorious Lazarus Group.

How Bybit Filled the Gap: Loans, Whale Deposits, and Buybacks

In a rapid turnaround, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou confirmed that the exchange had closed the deficit and would soon publish an audited Proof of Reserves (PoR) report to verify that client assets remain fully backed.

“Bybit has already fully closed the ETH gap. A new audited PoR report will be published very soon to show that Bybit is again back to 100% 1:1 on client assets through Merkle Tree. Stay tuned,” Ben Zhou, CEO of Bybit, announced.

Bybit ETH.
Bybit reserves. Source: Lookonchain

Within three days, the exchange secured the necessary funds from a mix of:

  • Loans from competing exchanges, including Binance and Bitfinex.
  • Deposits from crypto whales who stepped in to support the platform.
  • ETH buybacks from the company’s own reserves.

On-chain data from Lookonchain shows the rapid inflow of funds, which helped stabilize Bybit’s liquidity. The exchange confirmed that withdrawals, which initially spiked following the hack, have returned to normal levels.

Industry Response and Transparency Measures

The hack raised concerns over centralized exchange security, particularly given the scale of the theft.

However, Bybit’s response was notably swift.

The exchange provided continuous updates through official statements, live sessions, and posts on X, keeping users informed at every step.

This included outlining clear strategies, detailing liquidity measures, withdrawal timelines, and ongoing investigations.

Bybit’s approach helped contain speculation and maintain user trust. Zhou confirmed that a full Proof of Reserves (PoR) audit is expected to be released soon.

Prashant Jha

Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.

His coverage spans major industry events, including the high-profile collapses of FTX, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), and LUNA, offering readers insightful analyses of their regulatory and market implications. Prashant’s technical background enables him to bridge the gap between intricate blockchain technology and its real-world applications, making his work accessible to novices and experts.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Prashant is an avid music enthusiast, often exploring diverse genres to unwind. A sports lover, he has a particular passion for cricket and frequently engages in discussions about the game. His multifaceted interests and sharp journalistic instincts make him a valuable contributor to CCN, where he continues shaping the crypto landscape's narrative.

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