Millions of Dollars in NFTs Stolen from Trader, Stolen Apes Returned After Bounty Payment

SNEAK PEEK

  • Hackers who infiltrated NFT Trader and stole valuable digital assets, including Bored Ape and Mutant Ape Yacht Club NFTs, were swiftly countered
  • The incident demonstrated the strong unity and proactive approach within the NFT community.
  • The breach exposed weaknesses in NFT trading platforms, leading to calls for enhanced security Hackers proactive approach within the NFT community

In a striking turn of events, the NFT community witnessed a remarkable recovery of stolen digital assets. Recently, hackers infiltrated NFT Trader, a prominent peer-to-peer trading platform, pilfering a significant collection of nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Among the spoils were 37 Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), 13 Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) tokens, and other valuable NFTs like VeeFriends and World of Women. Nearly $3 million theft left the digital art world in shock.

However, the story took an unexpected twist. Boring Security, a Web3 security project, orchestrated a swift and effective response. They collaborated with Greg Solano, co-founder of Yuga Labs – the creator of BAYC and MAYC. Together, they strategised a resolution that involved a bounty payment. Their efforts bore fruit, and within 24 hours, all stolen NFTs were recovered. In exchange for the digital assets, the hackers received a 120 Ether (ETH) bounty, valued at approximately $267,000.

This operation’s success hinged on the swift action and collaborative spirit within the NFT community. The gesture by Solano to finance the bounty and the proactive approach by Boring Security underscored resilience and unity in the face of adversity. It vividly demonstrated the community’s determination to uphold Security and integrity in the burgeoning NFT space.

Meanwhile, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in NFT trading platforms, prompting urgent calls for enhanced security measures. Users were advised to revoke permissions granted to two specific old contracts, identified as potential gateways for similar attacks. This precaution was crucial in preventing further unauthorized NFT transfers.

The NFT Trader team, aided by a developer known as Foobar, addressed the breach promptly. Their efforts highlighted the ongoing challenges and the need for continual vigilance in the dynamic world of digital asset trading. As the NFT market evolves, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security measures and the power of community collaboration in safeguarding valuable digital assets.