In a jaw-dropping crypto drama, Cetus Protocol, the biggest exchange on the Sui blockchain, was hacked for a massive $223 million 😱. The attacker used fake tokens and sneaky code tricks to confuse the platform’s system and drain millions in real assets like $SUI , $ETH , and $USDC . It all started with just $11 million but quickly escalated as the hacker moved funds to Ethereum and bought over 21,000 ETH. Tokens like AXOL, HIPPO, and SQUIRT tanked, and SUI lost 15% of its value. Cetus has now paused its contracts and is trying to recover the platform. ⚠️
🎯 In a bold move, Cetus is offering the hacker a $6 million "bounty" (yes, really!) if they return the rest of the stolen money. The team says, “Give back 20,920 ETH and you can keep 2,324 ETH (worth about $6M) — no legal trouble.” 🕊️ But there's a catch: If the hacker tries to hide or move the money, the deal is off and legal action kicks in fast. The Cetus team has already tracked the hacker’s Ethereum wallet and is working with law enforcement, the Sui Foundation, and even the U.S. Department of Defense! 🛡️
💡 The hack exposed a sneaky flaw in Cetus’ pricing system — not in the code itself, but in the way its smart contracts calculated value inside liquidity pools. This kind of advanced "economic exploit" is harder to detect than basic bugs, showing how new blockchain projects like Sui still face serious risks. Cetus has patched the problem and beefed up security, but the damage to trust and tokens is real. Will the hacker take the money and run — or return the crypto and cash out like a whitehat? 🤔⏳