Bybit – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:38:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.11 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Bybit – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Bybit Goes Live in Europe With MiCA-Ready Platform and Vienna HQ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-goes-live-in-europe-with-mica-ready-platform-and-vienna-hq/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-goes-live-in-europe-with-mica-ready-platform-and-vienna-hq/#respond Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:38:04 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-goes-live-in-europe-with-mica-ready-platform-and-vienna-hq/

The cryptocurrency exchange Bybit



$5.1B

has officially opened a new office in Vienna and launched a separate website for users across the European Economic Area (EEA).

The decision follows new rules under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, also known as MiCA, which enables companies to operate in all 29 EEA countries with a single license.

The new platform, Bybit.eu, is run by Bybit EU GmbH and focuses on offering regulated crypto services to users in Europe. The site supports several languages, including English, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.

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According to a July 15 press release, Bybit stated that the platform will bring together liquidity from multiple sources and give individual users and institutions access to various trading tools.

To mark the opening of its European headquarters, Bybit hosted an event in Vienna that brought together over 250 people from the finance, technology, education, and policy industries.

During the event, Bybit EU’s CEO, Mazurka Zeng, pointed out:

We chose Vienna because it offers clarity, stability, and a thriving ecosystem. This event is about building real, lasting connections with Europe’s crypto community.

Additionally, Bybit co-founder Ben Zhou stated that the company aims to set a strong example not just in Austria but across Europe.

Austria’s State Secretary for Finance, Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, welcomed Bybit’s entry into the country. She noted that her country had made early efforts to implement MiCA and had created conditions that attract global fintech companies.

Recently, Binance



$15.38B

officially launched in Syria after the US and EU lifted economic sanctions on the country. What did the exchange say about the decision? Read the full story.

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.

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Greece recovers part of funds stolen in Bybit hack as its first crypto asset seizure https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-recovers-part-of-funds-stolen-in-bybit-hack-as-its-first-crypto-asset-seizure/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-recovers-part-of-funds-stolen-in-bybit-hack-as-its-first-crypto-asset-seizure/#respond Wed, 09 Jul 2025 22:34:14 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-recovers-part-of-funds-stolen-in-bybit-hack-as-its-first-crypto-asset-seizure/

Greek authorities carried out the country’s first-ever crypto seizure after tracing funds linked to the record-breaking $1.4 billion hack of crypto exchange Bybit earlier this year.

The Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority issued a freezing order on a suspect wallet following a months-long investigation aided by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

The operation targeted funds allegedly stolen in February’s Bybit breach, which has been widely attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

The Bybit hack, which ranks among the largest crypto exchange breaches in history, saw attackers exploit vulnerabilities in the platform’s private key management systems to drain roughly $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH).

The stolen funds were rapidly laundered through an intricate web of blockchain transactions designed to obscure their origins, making recovery efforts challenging for global authorities.

The Greek seizure marked a milestone for local law enforcement in digital crime prevention. It was made possible by the Authority’s strategic investment in Chainalysis Reactor in 2023, a blockchain tracing platform procured through regional partner Performance Technologies.

The local technology provider also provided analysts with training and operational support ahead of the case. Using Reactor, Greek investigators tracked suspicious crypto transactions that ultimately linked a suspect wallet to the original Bybit theft.

Officials then froze the assets, removing control from illicit actors and transferring the case to prosecuting authorities for further legal action.

Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Greece’s Minister of Economy and Finance, hailed the seizure as a demonstration of modern tools strengthening anti-financial crime efforts.

Analysts said the successful seizure underlines how blockchain’s public ledger can aid global law enforcement despite sophisticated laundering tactics employed by groups like Lazarus, which has targeted crypto exchanges worldwide to fund North Korea’s weapons programs.

Chainalysis described the case as proof that combining technology, training, and international cooperation can erode criminal anonymity and bolster trust in digital asset markets.

Mentioned in this article
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Greece Makes First Crypto Seizure After $1.5 Billion Bybit Hack – Here’s What Happened https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-makes-first-crypto-seizure-after-1-5-billion-bybit-hack-heres-what-happened/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-makes-first-crypto-seizure-after-1-5-billion-bybit-hack-heres-what-happened/#respond Wed, 09 Jul 2025 21:41:29 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/greece-makes-first-crypto-seizure-after-1-5-billion-bybit-hack-heres-what-happened/

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

About Author

Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority in Greece achieved the country’s first-ever cryptocurrency asset freezing, recovering funds directly linked to the $1.5 billion Bybit exchange hack attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

The landmark operation utilized Chainalysis Reactor blockchain analysis tools to trace stolen funds through complex laundering schemes.

The analysis establishes irrefutable on-chain evidence that connects seized assets to the February 2025 cyber heist.

The investigation began when authorities spotted a suspicious crypto transaction months after the Bybit attack.

Using advanced blockchain analysis capabilities acquired in 2023, Greek investigators visualized fund flows and definitively linked cryptocurrency in a suspect wallet to primary wallets used in the exchange breach.

The coordinated international response comes as 32.78% of the stolen $1.4 billion remained traceable nearly five months after the attack, with a massive 62.04% having gone dark and 5.18% successfully frozen.

Greece Makes First Crypto Seizure After $1.5 Billion Bybit Hack – Here’s What Happened

Blockchain Analysis Enables International Law Enforcement Breakthrough

Greece’s success stemmed from strategic preparation, with the Hellenic Authority investing in Chainalysis Reactor capabilities through its regional partner, Performance Technologies, in 2023.

The blockchain analysis revealed that North Korean hackers immediately laundered the stolen Ethereum through intricate transaction webs designed to obscure the money trail.

Chainalysis confirmed the initial compromise occurred via social engineering, with attackers executing phishing attacks against cold wallet signers to manipulate multi-signature implementations.

Bybit CEO Zhou described the devastating moment he learned of the breach, initially believing 30,000 ETH worth $82 million was affected before discovering all 401,000 ETH ($1.4 billion) had vanished.

The exchange processed 350,000 withdrawal requests within 10 hours and 580,000 by Saturday, maintaining operations to preserve customer confidence.

Security analysts confirmed the Lazarus Group moved funds rapidly through decentralized exchanges, mixers, and cross-chain bridges to evade tracking.

The cybercriminals converted 86.29% of stolen funds into 12,836 Bitcoin distributed across 9,117 wallets, primarily using Wasabi, CryptoMixer, Railgun, and Tornado Cash for obfuscation.

Global Crackdown Targets Crypto Laundering Infrastructure

As Greece took a step, Germany has taken its own significant action, seizing €34 million ($38 million) in crypto from the eXch platform on May 8 as part of ongoing investigations into the Bybit hack money laundering.

The seizure marked the third-largest crypto confiscation in the history of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, effectively shutting down the privacy-centric swapping service.

German authorities dismantled eXch after determining that the platform had laundered over €1.75 billion ($1.9 billion) in cryptocurrency, with a significant portion suspected to have originated from criminal activities.

The investigation revealed eXch ignored repeated warnings, refused to block malicious addresses, and failed to comply with regulatory freeze orders.

ZachXBT confirmed eXch processed funds from multiple high-profile incidents, including multisig wallet exploits, the $243 million Genesis creditor heist, and numerous phishing operations.

The platform marketed itself as privacy-centric, offering cross-blockchain exchanges without identity verification or anti-money laundering compliance.

Despite claiming a shutdown in April, eXch continued operations through backend APIs while websites went offline.

TRM Labs revealed that the platform never truly ceased functioning, allowing criminal groups, including Lazarus, to continue laundering activities through signature mixing pools that obscured the origins of the funds.

As it stands now, recovery efforts united 12 organizations, including Mantle, Paraswap, and blockchain investigators, earning bounty hunters $2.2 million USDT for assistance.

Despite these efforts, organized crime remains a significant threat to the cryptocurrency industry.

Between June and July, Taiwan’s BitoPro has lost $11.5 million through exposed wallets during system upgrades, and Brazil’s C&M Software attack resulted in $40 million crypto laundering.

Most significantly, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, confirmed a $73 million security breach on June 19, with unauthorized access detected in its hot wallet infrastructure, which subsequently resulted in over $90 million being drained.

In fact, just today, the decentralized exchange GMX is believed to have suffered a $42 million exploit, with digital assets reportedly drained from its vaults.

For Bybit, the exchange has launched a bounty program offering 10% rewards on recovered funds, totaling up to $140 million for successful asset retrieval.


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What is Bybit? Is It Reliable? Comprehensive Guide + Passive Income Opportunities https://earlybirdsinvest.com/what-is-bybit-is-it-reliable-comprehensive-guide-passive-income-opportunities/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/what-is-bybit-is-it-reliable-comprehensive-guide-passive-income-opportunities/#respond Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:58:16 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/what-is-bybit-is-it-reliable-comprehensive-guide-passive-income-opportunities/
What is Bybit? A Brief Introduction

What is Bybit? A Brief Introduction

Bybit, founded in 2018, is a rapidly growing digital asset trading platform in the cryptocurrency world. Headquartered in Dubai, this exchange is especially known for its derivatives (futures) trading but has evolved into a versatile ecosystem offering spot trading, staking, launchpad, and more.

It provides an intuitive interface suitable for both individual investors and professional traders. Bybit stands out with its customer-centric approach, high liquidity, and advanced technological infrastructure. Serving millions of users globally, it is accessible in over 160 countries.

The user-friendly platform supports a wide range of trading options while also offering passive income opportunities. These features enable investors not only to engage in active trading but also to develop long-term earning strategies.

  • Operating since 2018 with continuous service

  • Leverage trading and advanced trading tools

  • Diverse products including spot trading, futures, launchpad, and earn programs

  • Global user base with mobile application support

How to Register on Bybit? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Registering on Bybit is a simple and fast process. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, you can create your account within a few minutes. The registration can be completed using either your email address or your phone number. Both methods are secure, allowing you to choose based on your personal preference. During registration, you can also enter a referral code to benefit from special promotions.

Before you start trading on Bybit, you may need to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. This step is mandatory to ensure your account’s security and comply with legal regulations. KYC typically involves uploading an identity document and a selfie, and it is usually approved within a few hours.

After registering, it is highly recommended to activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) before you begin trading. This adds an extra layer of protection to your account. You can also complete the entire registration and trading process quickly via mobile devices.

How to Register on Bybit?

Step-by-Step Registration Process:

  1. Visit the official Bybit website.

  2. Click on the “Sign Up” button.

  3. Register using your email or phone number.

  4. Set a strong password.

  5. Enter the verification code sent to you and verify your account.

  6. After logging in, start the KYC verification process.

  7. Enable 2FA security feature.

Benefits of Registering with a Referral Code:

KYC verification process

What Products and Services Does Bybit Offer?

Bybit goes beyond being just a cryptocurrency exchange by offering a wide range of products and investment tools to its users. From spot trading to futures contracts, and from staking options to launchpad opportunities, Bybit caters to investors with different profiles. This diversity allows users to earn profits either through active trading or passive income.

Bybit Launchpad offers

In the spot market, users can buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly. Meanwhile, in futures trading (derivatives), more experienced investors can open high-volume positions using leverage. Additionally, Bybit provides advanced charting tools and user-friendly order types, enabling both beginners and professional traders to execute trades with ease.

One standout feature is the Copy Trading system, which allows users to automatically replicate the trades of successful investors and potentially earn profits. Moreover, Bybit Launchpad offers early investment opportunities in new projects, ideal for users looking to get in at the ground level.

Finally, active in the Web3 and DeFi space, Bybit has started offering innovative services such as decentralized wallet connections and an NFT marketplace.

What Products and Services Does Bybit Offer?

Bybit Products and Services:

  • ✅ Spot Market: Instant cryptocurrency trading

  • ✅ Futures Trading: Leverage trading options (USDT or Coin margined)

  • ✅ Copy Trading: Automatically follow professional traders

  • ✅ Bybit Launchpad: Early investment in new projects

  • ✅ Bybit Earn: Interest earnings, staking, flexible investment products

  • ✅ NFT Marketplace: Digital collectible trading (if supported)

  • ✅ Web3 Wallet Support: Access to decentralized finance applications

    Copy Trading system

How to Earn Passive Income with Bybit

Bybit offers attractive opportunities not only for active traders but also for users who want to generate passive income. Instead of just holding your crypto assets in your wallet, you can put them to work through various investment tools, earning profits with low or minimal risk. These features are especially valuable for long-term investors.

Bybit Earn is the platform’s most prominent passive income feature. Here, users can benefit from fixed or flexible staking options, interest earnings, and dual investment products. Some of these offer high APY rates during the lock-up period, while flexible options allow you to withdraw your assets at any time.

Additionally, the referral program is a powerful way to earn passive income on Bybit. When the users you invite trade on the platform, you receive commission revenue. This method is particularly profitable for those active in the crypto community.

Thanks to the Copy Trading feature, you can also earn passive income by automatically copying the trades of successful investors without actively managing your trades. As the trader you follow earns profits, you do too.

  • ✅ Bybit Earn:

  • ✅ Referral System:

  • ✅ Copy Trading:

    • Automatically follow top traders

    • Earn with minimal intervention

    • Choose by comparing performance

These methods are especially ideal for users who cannot constantly monitor the market. Bybit’s options provide significant potential for those aiming for maximum returns with minimal effort.

How to Earn Passive Income with Bybit

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bybit

Bybit has quickly gained popularity among crypto investors, but like any platform, it has its own strengths and weaknesses. Reviewing these objectively helps you make an informed decision before joining. Bybit stands out especially for offering leveraged trading, while also being quite competitive in terms of user experience, liquidity, and security.

On the advantages side, Bybit’s clean and fast interface is very user-friendly, especially for beginners. Trading fees are competitive, and some pairs offer significant discounts. In addition to spot and futures trading, a variety of products such as staking, launchpad, and earn programs are all integrated into a single platform. This allows users to manage all their activities under one roof.

From a security perspective, features like 2FA (two-factor authentication), IP whitelisting, and cold wallet storage ensure that user funds are well protected. Moreover, Bybit’s technical infrastructure is robust enough to handle high trading volumes, and system outages are rarely experienced.

On the downside, usage restrictions apply to some countries, and regulatory issues can occasionally cause service interruptions. Leveraged trading carries high risks for inexperienced users. Although the platform offers educational resources, some users might require more guidance in certain areas.

  • ✅ Advanced user interface and mobile app support

  • ✅ Low trading fees and promotional discounts

  • ✅ Wide product range (spot, futures, earn, launchpad)

  • ✅ Strong security infrastructure

  • ✅ High liquidity and fast trade execution

  • ⚠ KYC is mandatory for some operations

  • ⚠ Leveraged trading can be risky for new users

  • ⚠ Access restrictions in certain countries

Is Bybit Reliable? User Reviews and Experiences

Security is one of the most critical factors when trading in the cryptocurrency market. Especially when it comes to leveraged trading and managing large capital, users want to be confident that their chosen platform is trustworthy. Bybit is one of the leading exchanges in the industry, serving millions of users worldwide.

One of the most prominent indicators of Bybit’s security is its use of cold wallet storage. The majority of user funds are kept in offline wallets, which helps protect against potential hacking attacks. Additionally, Bybit offers user-focused security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), email verification, and suspicious login monitoring.

Looking at user experiences, the platform is generally reported to operate reliably with no significant downtime, and orders are executed quickly. Deposits and withdrawals are also usually approved within a short time frame.

Independent review sites and forums contain many positive feedbacks about Bybit. However, some users have noted that customer support can be slow during peak periods, and some campaign terms are not always clearly communicated.

Summary of User Feedback:

  • Platform speed and order execution times

  • High-level security measures

  • Mobile app performance

  • Smooth deposit and withdrawal processes

In conclusion, Bybit is regarded as a reliable platform on a global scale and has maintained an active user base for a long time. However, like any investor, you should conduct your own research and assess the risks before making decisions.

Is Bybit Reliable? User Reviews and Experiences

Bybit Mobile App: Features and Ease of Use

Bybit is one of the platforms that prioritizes mobile user experience. Its mobile app, specially developed for both Android and iOS operating systems, brings nearly all the functions available on the desktop version to mobile devices. The app offers a fast, user-friendly, and secure trading environment suitable for both beginners and experienced investors.

When you open the app, you can easily access real-time market data, trading pairs, wallet balances, and ongoing promotions from the home screen. The charting interface is particularly advanced. Thanks to TradingView integration, users can perform technical analysis, add indicators, and view charts across different time frames.

Through the Bybit mobile app, users can perform spot and futures trading, adjust order types, and change leverage levels. Additionally, many of the platform’s services such as Copy Trading, Launchpad participation, and Bybit Earn investments can be managed directly from the app. Account registration can also be completed via mobile, allowing users to create an account in just a few minutes.

The app also features a notification system. Price alerts, trade confirmations, and security warnings are sent directly to users, which is a great advantage for investors who cannot constantly monitor the market.

Key Features of the Mobile App:

  • ✅ Spot, futures, and copy trading transactions

  • ✅ Live prices and detailed charts (TradingView support)

  • ✅ Fast order placement and position management

  • ✅ Notification system (price alerts, trade confirmations, etc.)

  • ✅ Wallet management, staking, and launchpad functions

  • ✅ Direct access to security settings (2FA, password changes, etc.)

Bybit’s mobile app provides great convenience, especially for those who want to monitor the market, trade, and manage their investments on the go. Its interface is both simple and high-performance, enabling most users to perform all their operations via mobile without needing the desktop version.

Important Things to Consider When Using Bybit

While Bybit offers lucrative opportunities with its advanced investment tools, users need to pay attention to several important factors. Especially for newcomers to the crypto market, some features of the platform can be complex and risky. Acting wisely is crucial to avoid potential losses.

First and foremost, leveraged trading carries high risks. Bybit allows leverage up to 100x, which can lead to significant gains but also sudden large losses. Such trades should only be conducted by experienced users and always with proper risk management.

Additionally, KYC verification is mandatory for certain transactions. While KYC enhances your security, it requires sharing personal information with the platform. Users who do not complete KYC may face restrictions such as withdrawal limits.

Furthermore, Bybit does not provide services to some countries. Users should verify whether their country is supported according to platform policies. If your IP address is detected from an unsupported country, you may experience access restrictions.

Campaigns and referral programs sometimes have complex terms and conditions. It is recommended to carefully review these before participation. Also, Turkish language support is currently limited, so users who do not understand English may encounter difficulties.

Key Points to Watch Out For:

  • ⚠ Leveraged trading carries high risks – using stop-loss orders is essential

  • ⚠ KYC is mandatory for certain services

  • ⚠ IP blocking may occur in unsupported countries

  • ⚠ Campaign and bonus rules should be thoroughly read

  • ⚠ Mobile security (2FA, password protection) must be activated

Bybit is a powerful platform with features designed for experienced traders. However, using this power correctly and being aware of potential risks is critical for every investor.

Should You Join Bybit? Conclusion and My Thoughts

Bybit is a versatile cryptocurrency platform that caters to both beginners and experienced investors with its advanced trading options, secure infrastructure, and passive income opportunities. It enables users to earn profits through various strategies, including spot and futures trading, staking, copy trading, and launchpad participation.

The platform’s user interface is clean and smooth, allowing new users to easily learn even complex operations. Moreover, the ability to trade anytime and anywhere via the mobile app takes the user experience to the next level. Passive income options like Bybit Earn offer great opportunities for those who want to make their crypto work for them rather than just holding it.

Of course, there are some important considerations: leveraged trading carries high risk, the KYC process may be restrictive for some, and Turkish language support is limited. However, all these challenges can be managed with proper risk management and informed usage.

Who Is Bybit Suitable For?

✅ Newcomers to crypto markets looking for an easy-to-use interface

✅ Traders experienced in leveraged trading

✅ Long-term investors seeking passive income

✅ Users interested in early participation in new projects via launchpad

✅ Content creators and community managers looking to earn extra income through the referral system

My Personal Opinion: Among the crypto platforms I have experienced, Bybit ranks highly in terms of functionality, variety, and speed. It offers both a profitable and secure infrastructure. Naturally, everyone should conduct their own risk assessment before investing. However, as someone interested in referral income, I can clearly say that the earning potential is quite high.

crypto trading

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Bybit Unveils Solana-Powered DEX Byreal with CEX-Grade Speed, Mainnet Coming Q3 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-unveils-solana-powered-dex-byreal-with-cex-grade-speed-mainnet-coming-q3/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-unveils-solana-powered-dex-byreal-with-cex-grade-speed-mainnet-coming-q3/#respond Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:08:45 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-unveils-solana-powered-dex-byreal-with-cex-grade-speed-mainnet-coming-q3/

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Crypto exchange Bybit has announced the development of its first decentralized exchange, Byreal, built on the Solana blockchain. The platform is expected to enter testnet on June 30, with a mainnet launch planned for the third quarter of 2025.

This marks a significant step for Bybit as it expands into decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, aligning with broader market trends favoring transparency and decentralization.

Hybrid Trading Model and New Features

Bybit CEO Ben Zhou shared the update via social media, describing the new platform as a “hybrid model” that combines centralized exchange liquidity with “decentralized transparency.”

The announcement comes at a time when decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are steadily increasing their share of global spot trading volume, indicating a shift in user preference towards non-custodial solutions.

According to Zhou, Byreal incorporates features such as Request For Quote (RFQ) and Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM) routing.

These mechanisms are designed to provide users with reduced slippage and more transparent trade execution, often associated with higher-frequency trading strategies on centralized platforms.

Bybit believes that such a setup allows for a more balanced and efficient market-making process within a decentralized framework. In addition to standard trading functions, Byreal will also support unique DeFi offerings, including a curated token launchpad and yield-generating vaults.

The platform plans to offer access to assets such as bbSOL, a liquid staking derivative on Solana. This broader suite of services positions Byreal to compete not just with DEXs like Raydium or Orca but also with token launch and yield platforms built on Ethereum and BNB Chain.

Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, commented on the collaboration, emphasizing the potential for synergy between centralized and decentralized exchanges.

She stated that the combination of liquidity from centralized exchanges and the global accessibility of DEXs contributes to the broader vision of an open financial market on the internet.

Rising DEX Market Share and Solana’s Role

Bybit’s move comes during a noticeable uptick in DEX activity. In May 2025, DEXs accounted for over 20% of the global spot trading volume, according to data from DefiLlama. PancakeSwap currently leads the market with $132 billion in monthly volume, and the total trading volume across DEXs stands at $405.88 billion.

Decentralized Exchange monthly volume
Decentralized Exchange monthly volume. | Source: DeFillama

The growing popularity of these platforms signals increasing confidence in decentralized protocols for executing trades without intermediaries.

The Solana network has played a significant role in this trend. As of June, Solana-based DEXs hold roughly $77.43 billion in monthly volume, with majority concentrated on Raydium.

Solana (SOL) price chart on TradingView
SOL price is moving upwards on the 2-hour chart. Source: SOL/USDT on TradingView.com

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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27% of Bybit Hacked Funds Have ‘Gone Dark’ After Flowing Through Mixers and Bridges, According to CEO Ben Zhou https://earlybirdsinvest.com/27-of-bybit-hacked-funds-have-gone-dark-after-flowing-through-mixers-and-bridges-according-to-ceo-ben-zhou/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/27-of-bybit-hacked-funds-have-gone-dark-after-flowing-through-mixers-and-bridges-according-to-ceo-ben-zhou/#respond Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:38:46 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/27-of-bybit-hacked-funds-have-gone-dark-after-flowing-through-mixers-and-bridges-according-to-ceo-ben-zhou/

More than 27% of the roughly $1.4 billion worth of crypto stolen from Bybit earlier this year has “gone dark,” according to the digital asset exchange’s chief executive.

Ben Zhao notes in a new update on the social media platform X that 68.57% of the hacked funds remain traceable and 3.84% have been frozen.

Hackers looted Bybit in February for nearly $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH) and Lido Staked Ether (stETH), representing the largest crypto theft ever and possibly the biggest heist in world history.

The blockchain research firm Elliptic, pseudonymous on-chain investigator ZachXBT and other researchers pinned the exploit on the Lazarus Group, a prolific North Korean cybercriminal outfit known for numerous high-profile hacks on major crypto platforms.

Zhao says the North Korean hackers have used crypto mixers and bridges to hide the stolen funds.

“After a certain amount of BTC was washed through Wasabi, a small portion of it entered CryptoMixer, Tornado Cash and Railgun. Then, multiple cross-chain and swap services were carried out through platforms such as Thorchain, eXch, Lombard, LiFi, Stargate, and SunSwap. Eventually, it entered OTC (over-the-counter) or P2P (peer-to-peer) fiat currency exchange services.”

One of the exchanges he mentioned, eXch, announced last week that it plans to close its doors in May after facing crypto-laundering allegations.

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Bybit Theft Update: CEO Confirms Significant Portion Of Stolen $1.4 Billion Is Now Untraceable https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-theft-update-ceo-confirms-significant-portion-of-stolen-1-4-billion-is-now-untraceable/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-theft-update-ceo-confirms-significant-portion-of-stolen-1-4-billion-is-now-untraceable/#respond Tue, 22 Apr 2025 05:56:15 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bybit-theft-update-ceo-confirms-significant-portion-of-stolen-1-4-billion-is-now-untraceable/

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In a staggering breach that rocked the crypto world, crypto exchange Bybit has reported significant developments following a major hack attributed to alleged North Korean hackers. 

The incident, part of a record-breaking $1.5 billion crypto heist, has seen hackers convert at least $300 million into unrecoverable funds. CEO Ben Zhou provided a detailed update on the situation through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Bybit CEO Details Movement Of Stolen Assets

Zhou’s “4.21.25 Executive Summary on Hacked Funds” revealed that the total amount stolen amounts to approximately $1.4 billion, primarily comprising around 500,000 Ethereum (ETH). 

The breakdown of the hacked funds indicates that 68.57% remain traceable, suggesting that a significant portion of the stolen crypto can still be tracked through the blockchain. 

Conversely, 27.59% have gone dark, meaning these funds are no longer traceable and may be lost. Additionally, 3.84% of the funds have been frozen, potentially due to interventions from law enforcement or regulatory bodies.

Related Reading

The untraceable funds largely flowed into mixers—services that obscure the origin of cryptocurrencies—before being moved through bridges to peer-to-peer (P2P) and over-the-counter (OTC) platforms. 

One of the mixers identified in the laundering of the stolen funds is Wasabi, linked to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to Zhou, after a specific amount of Bitcoin (BTC) was processed through Wasabi, it subsequently entered other mixing services such as CryptoMixer, Tornado Cash, and Railgun. 

The hackers reportedly utilized various cross-chain and swap services, including Thorchain, eXch, Lombard, LiFi, Stargate, and SunSwap, to facilitate the movement of assets. 

The ultimate destination for these funds appears to be OTC or P2P fiat currency exchange services, which allow for the conversion of cryptocurrencies into traditional currencies without the need for a centralized exchange.

Stolen Crypto Breakdown

The update also sheds light on the whereabouts of the stolen assets. A substantial portion of Ethereum has been transferred, with 432,748 ETH—approximately 84.45% of the total—valued at around $1.21 billion, converted from Ethereum to Bitcoin via Thorchain. 

Of this amount, 67.25% (342,975 ETH, valued at about $960.33 million) has been converted into 10,003 BTC, distributed across 35,772 wallets with an average of 0.28 BTC each. 

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Meanwhile, 1.17% (5,991 ETH, approximately $16.77 million) remains on the Ethereum blockchain across 12,490 wallets, averaging 0.48 ETH each. In terms of Bitcoin, 944 BTC—about 6.34%, valued at $90.62 million—has been sent to the Wasabi Mixer, while 531 BTC (equivalent to 18,206 ETH, or 3.57%) has been transferred back from Bitcoin to Ethereum via Thorchain.

In light of the ongoing investigation, Bybit has received 5,443 bounty reports related to the hack over the past 60 days, with 70 of those deemed valid. Zhou emphasized the need for more community involvement, inviting bounty hunters to help decode mixers and assist in tracing the remaining stolen funds.

Bybit
The daily chart shows the total crypto market cap valuation at $2.7 trillion. Source: TOTAL on TradingView.com

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

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Controversial Exchange eXch To Shutter in May Amid Allegations the Project Laundered Crypto Stolen in Bybit Hack https://earlybirdsinvest.com/controversial-exchange-exch-to-shutter-in-may-amid-allegations-the-project-laundered-crypto-stolen-in-bybit-hack/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/controversial-exchange-exch-to-shutter-in-may-amid-allegations-the-project-laundered-crypto-stolen-in-bybit-hack/#respond Sat, 19 Apr 2025 20:45:15 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/controversial-exchange-exch-to-shutter-in-may-amid-allegations-the-project-laundered-crypto-stolen-in-bybit-hack/

The controversial exchange eXch plans to close its doors in May after facing allegations that it laundered crypto stolen in the record-setting Bybit exploit earlier this year.

In February, hackers looted nearly $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum (ETH) and Lido Staked Ether (stETH) from Bybit in the largest crypto theft ever and possibly the biggest heist in world history.

The blockchain research firm Elliptic, pseudonymous on-chain investigator ZachXBT and other researchers pinned the exploit on the Lazarus Group, a prolific North Korean cybercriminal outfit known for numerous high-profile hacks on major crypto platforms.

Elliptic also said that Lazarus used eXch as part of its process to launder the stolen crypto. The exchange denied the money-laundering allegations, though it did cop to processing an “insignificant” portion of the stolen Bybit funds.

This week, eXch took to the BitcoinTalk forum to announce it was shutting down on May 1st, claiming that “friends” in the state intelligence sector confirmed the exchange is the target of an “active transatlantic operation.”

“Even though we have been able to operate despite some failed attempts to shut down our infrastructure (attempts that have also been confirmed to be part of this operation), we don’t see any point in operating in a hostile environment where we are the target of SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) simply because some people misinterpret our goals. Starting from the date of the merger with a new management team this month, and as a result of some urgent meetings, the majority of us voted to cease and retreat instead of going against strong winds, because none of us want to cause any harm to innocent people or this forum.”

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Vietnam plans pilot crypto trading platform with Bybit support https://earlybirdsinvest.com/vietnam-plans-pilot-crypto-trading-platform-with-bybit-support/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/vietnam-plans-pilot-crypto-trading-platform-with-bybit-support/#respond Sat, 19 Apr 2025 06:29:57 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/vietnam-plans-pilot-crypto-trading-platform-with-bybit-support/

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance plans to establish a pilot crypto trading platform with technical assistance from Bybit, as reported by Vietnam Investment Review on April 18.

Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc emphasized that unofficial and unregulated transactions pose a major risk to investors, citing the need for a comprehensive legal framework to guide the country’s digital asset market.

The effort comes as Vietnam ranks fifth globally in crypto adoption, according to Chainalysis’ latest “Geography of Crypto Report.” 

Pilot crypto trading framework

The Ministry of Finance, tasked with leading the initiative, will collaborate with other state agencies to develop regulations. A draft resolution for a pilot for the crypto platform is expected to be submitted to the government in early May. 

The platform aims to create a controlled environment where investors and businesses can transact transparently and safely while enabling the state to manage risks.

Minister Phoc said the project would help Vietnam channel crypto into the growth of the digital economy. The pilot project is part of broader government efforts to establish a legal corridor that supports blockchain innovation and investment protection.

Bybit will help the Ministry of Finance design the trading platform. Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou expressed interest in implementing a sandbox model, which would provide a simulated environment for testing trading mechanisms under regulatory oversight.

Bybit offers technical assistance

Zhou noted that Bybit’s experience in building anti-money laundering controls and its partnerships with major global organizations position it to support Vietnam in developing transaction tracking and compliance systems. 

Moreover, he stressed that a well-regulated exchange could drive positive outcomes once the legal framework is fully established.

The Ministry welcomed Bybit’s offer and directed the State Securities Commission to coordinate further discussions with the exchange to refine the proposals.

Bybit’s efforts come amid Binance-related moves to support blockchain growth in different countries.

On April 3, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyrgyz Republic to act as an advisor on its blockchain growth plans. The partnership includes cooperation on technological and educational matters related to crypto and blockchain.

Additionally, Zhao became a member of the Pakistan Crypto Council on April 7, helping with infrastructure and educational efforts in the crypto industry.

Binance CEO Richard Teng revealed on April 17 that the exchange is working with various countries to support their crypto-related initiatives.

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eXch Collapse: Accused of Laundering Crypto for Bybit Hackers, Platform Bows Out https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exch-collapse-accused-of-laundering-crypto-for-bybit-hackers-platform-bows-out/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exch-collapse-accused-of-laundering-crypto-for-bybit-hackers-platform-bows-out/#respond Fri, 18 Apr 2025 21:50:51 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exch-collapse-accused-of-laundering-crypto-for-bybit-hackers-platform-bows-out/

Privacy-focused cryptocurrency exchange eXch has confirmed it will officially terminate all operations effective May 1st, following escalating international scrutiny and mounting allegations of its role in laundering funds linked to the February Bybit hack.

According to the team, the move comes after internal consensus among its leadership to “cease and retreat” rather than continue under what it described as a hostile operating environment.

The shutdown follows the emergence of what eXch claims is an “active transatlantic operation” reportedly targeting the platform with the intent to dismantle its infrastructure and pursue criminal charges. This included accusations of enabling terrorism financing and laundering roughly $35 million in crypto allegedly traced back to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

eXch to Wind Down

While the eXch team acknowledged that a small portion of illicit funds may have passed through the platform, they vehemently denied any intentional facilitation of criminal activity.

eXch also rejected the characterization of its services as a “mixer,” despite comparisons by on-chain analysts. The platform’s founders criticized the broader crypto compliance landscape, aiming at what they called the “nonsensical policies” of exchanges that rely on third-party AML scoring APIs, which they argue can be easily bypassed and offer little real protection.

As the exchange prepares to wind down, it has announced the establishment of a 50 BTC open-source fund to support privacy-preserving financial tools and wallets across various ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Thorchain. Partners will retain limited access to APIs until the transition of control to a new management group is finalized.

“The goals we certainly never had in mind were to enable illicit activities such as money laundering or terrorism, as we are being accused of now. We also have absolutely no motivation to operate a project where we are viewed as criminals.

This doesn’t make any sense to us. Originally, we were just a team of privacy enthusiasts with main areas of interest quite distant from cryptocurrency, where we saw the absolutely unfair happenings. This project was an attempt to restore balance in this industry.”

Bybit Hack

The February Bybit hack, which drained over $1.5 billion in digital assets including stETH and mETH, ranks among the largest thefts in crypto history. Onchain investigators ZachXBT and Nick Bax of Security Alliance had previously alleged that eXch facilitated the laundering of funds stolen in the Bybit hack by North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

Additional claims from blockchain analysts and security firm SlowMist support the accusation, which cited Ether transfers from hack-linked wallets.

Despite the severe blow, Bybit has managed to regain momentum in the market. As of April 9, analytics firm Block Scholes reported the exchange’s market share had climbed from a low of 4% after the breach to about 7%. This rebound reflected a strong comeback in spot trading volume and overall exchange activity, suggesting the platform is recovering more quickly than many had initially anticipated.

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