In a series of tweets on Monday, Tron founder Justin Sun revealed that the crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi) had been hacked for 5,000 ETH, worth approximately $8 million at the time. Sun assured users that their funds were safe and that the exchange was operating normally.
"HTX has suffered a loss of 5,000 [ethereum] ($8 million USD) due to a hacker attack," Sun wrote. "HTX has fully covered the losses incurred from the attack and has successfully resolved all related issues. All user assets are SAFU and the platform is operating completely normally."
Sun also shared the Ethereum addresses associated with the hacker, which include "0xdb1" and "0x799." Approximately $6.3 million is located in the "0xdb1" wallet.
"HTX detected the hack immediately and took swift action to prevent any further losses," Sun added. "We have also launched an investigation into the incident and are working with law enforcement to bring the hacker to justice."
Sun also offered a white hat incentive of 5% of the stolen amount ($400,000) to the hacker in exchange for returning the funds. If the money is returned within seven days, Sun said the exchange would consider hiring the individual as a security consultant. However, if the funds aren't returned, Sun said the company would turn the information over to law enforcement.
The HTX hack is the latest in a string of security breaches that have targeted crypto exchanges in recent months. In June, decentralized exchange (dex) platform Mixin fell victim to a hack that resulted in the loss of $200 million in cryptocurrency assets.
The HTX hack highlights the importance of security for crypto exchanges. Exchanges should implement robust security measures to protect their users' funds from hackers. Users should also be vigilant and take steps to protect their own accounts, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
The HTX hack is a reminder of the security risks associated with crypto exchanges. While HTX is a large and well-established exchange, it is still vulnerable to attack. The fact that the exchange was able to quickly detect and respond to the hack is a positive sign, but it is important to note that not all exchanges are so well-equipped to handle such incidents.
The white hat incentive offered by Sun is a novel approach to dealing with hacks. It remains to be seen whether the hacker will be tempted by the offer, but it is certainly worth a try. If successful, it could set a precedent for how other exchanges handle hacks in the future.
Overall, the HTX hack is a reminder of the importance of security for crypto exchanges and users alike. Exchanges should implement robust security measures, and users should be vigilant and take steps to protect their own accounts.
