In a surprising turn of events, hackers pulled off a daring $20.7 million drain from U.S. government wallets, seizing a mix of Ethereum (ETH), USDC, aUSDC, and USDT. But here’s the twist: just a day after the massive breach, they returned $19.3 million with no questions asked.
This audacious heist involved 177.89 ETH (valued at $446,000), alongside a whopping 13.69 million aUSDC, 5.44 million USDC, and 1.125 million USDT. These funds were swiftly moved across nine government wallets, leaving authorities scrambling to trace the transactions.
Though most of the funds were returned, approximately $1.4 million remains unaccounted for. A majority of this missing amount is still in ETH, likely being dispersed through micro-transactions, making it harder to track and recover.
Blockchain analysis platforms like Arkham and Lookonchain have been hot on the trail, tracking every movement in this intricate game between government wallets and crypto hackers. As investigators dig deeper, the blockchain’s transparent nature ensures this heist leaves a permanent mark on the crypto world, blending drama and mystery with every transaction.
This episode serves as an unforgettable clash between state-backed security and crypto’s elusive shadow world, reminding everyone that the blockchain never forgets.
