Market
Bybit Hackers Laundered 70% of the Funds, Circle Faces Backlash

The North Korean Bybit hackers are nearing the final stages of laundering the stolen 499,000 ETH, worth approximately $1.5 billion. At their current pace, they could complete this process within the next three days.
Meanwhile, this comes amid criticism of USDC stablecoin issuer Circle for allegedly delaying action on blacklisting wallets linked to the attack.
North Korean Hackers Ramp Up Bybit Laundering Efforts
On March 1, the North Korean hackers moved another 62,200 ETH, valued at around $138 million, reducing the remaining unlaundered balance to 156,500 ETH.
According to crypto investigator EmberCN, who has been monitoring the transactions, the rapid movement of funds suggests the laundering process could be completed in a matter of days.
“Since the hacker resumed money laundering yesterday at 3 PM, they have laundered 62,200 ETH (worth $138 million). Out of the 499,000 ETH stolen from Bybit, only 156,000 ETH (worth $346 million) remain unlaundered. In about three more days, all of it should be fully laundered,” EmberCN wrote on X.

This confirms a report from blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, which noted that the attackers had “an unprecedented level of operational efficiency.”
According to the firm, the group employs a complex laundering strategy, using intermediary wallets, decentralized exchanges, and cross-chain bridges to disguise the movement of funds. These tactics make it increasingly difficult for investigators to track and recover the stolen ETH.
Meanwhile, the authorities have also taken note. On February 27, the FBI identified a North Korean-affiliated hacking collective known as TraderTraitor as the perpetrator of the Bybit attack.
In response, Bybit has launched a $140 million bounty program to incentivize individuals who can help track and freeze the stolen assets. So far, 16 people have received a combined total of $4.2 million for their contributions.
Circle Faces Criticism for Delayed Blacklist
Considering the rapid pace of the laundering activity, on-chain sleuth ZachXBT has criticized Circle for its delayed response in blacklisting hacker-controlled wallets.
He pointed out that the company took more than 24 hours to act, giving the attackers ample time to move the assets beyond reach.
ZachXBT also highlighted past incidents where Circle allegedly failed to freeze illicit funds promptly, referencing major crypto breaches such as the Ledger and Nomad Bridge hacks.
He argued that Circle, as a key stablecoin issuer, should take a more aggressive stance in blocking stolen funds instead of relying solely on law enforcement directives.
Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, defended the company’s position, dismissing claims of negligence. He stated that Circle only responds to direct requests from authorities.
“We will share a post on how we immediately respond to law enforcement and not front run the law with our own or market intelligence. I don’t think the market or users benefit if a private company makes their own judgements to seize funds without a direct law enforcement request,” Allaire added.
However, ZachXBT responded that waiting for legal clearance creates unnecessary delays, allowing hackers to execute their laundering schemes before action is taken.
“An ongoing attack impacting the entire ecosystem only has minutes for a blacklist. You know this and then push back for a court order from law enforcement which takes multiple days in a best case scenario. Your team completely made up this internal policy and it’s not required by law,” ZachXBT stated.
Security expert Taylor Monahan echoed these concerns, describing Circle’s handling of such incidents as inefficient. She also noted that delays in blacklisting stolen funds increase the likelihood that the assets become untraceable.
“You have a blocklist function because you have to. Grow up and use it. Freeze criminal funds, establish checks and balances, create accessible paths of recourse if it turns out bad and fix it quickly. This is dead simple,” Monahan said.
Additionally, she pointed out that victims of wrongful freezes often face extended legal battles to reclaim their funds due to Circle’s rigid policies.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Ethereum Stabilizes at $2,300 as Whales Pause Selling

Ethereum recently failed to breach the $2,500 resistance, leading to a pullback. The altcoin king has since fallen, now trading at $2,354. Despite the decline, ETH shows signs of a gradual recovery.
A key shift in investor behavior, particularly among whale addresses, may provide the support needed for an uptrend.
Ethereum Selling Stops
Whale addresses, holding between 10,000 to 100,000 ETH, had been selling aggressively. Over the past week, they offloaded 640,000 ETH worth $1.5 billion, contributing to Ethereum’s struggle near $2,500. However, selling pressure has eased, signaling a shift in sentiment.
In the last 24 hours, whales have paused their sell-off, aligning with Ethereum’s recent price stabilization. This behavioral change could indicate confidence in ETH’s recovery. If large holders continue to hold their assets, Ethereum may see reduced volatility and stronger price support.

Ethereum’s Liveliness indicator suggests long-term holders (LTHs) have also stopped selling. This metric rises when LTHs liquidate holdings and declines when they accumulate or hold. Over the past few days, the indicator has remained flat, signaling a pause in selling.
This trend supports Ethereum’s price stability as long-term investors preserve market confidence. If LTHs maintain their holdings, ETH could build momentum for a breakout. A sustained downtick in Liveliness would reinforce bullish sentiment, indicating accumulation rather than distribution.

ETH Price Recovery Ahead
Ethereum is attempting to secure $2,344 as a support floor, now trading at $2,354. Holding this level could allow ETH to recover recent losses, targeting $2,549 as the next resistance. A successful retest of this zone would confirm bullish momentum.
If ETH breaches $2,549, it could rally toward $2,654. Surpassing this level may push Ethereum into consolidation below $2,814, mirroring previous market cycles. This would establish a stable price range before further upward movement.

However, failing to hold $2,344 could trigger a decline. ETH may fall through $2,267, potentially testing $2,170 as the next major support. A drop below this level would invalidate the bullish outlook, reinforcing bearish momentum in the short term.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Cronos Eyes 70 Billion CRO Token Burn Reversal

Cronos, the EVM-compatible blockchain developed by Crypto.com, has proposed reissuing 70 billion previously burned CRO tokens.
Announced on March 3, 2025, the initiative seeks to restore the total supply of CRO to its original 100 billion. This would effectively reverse a significant token burn conducted in February 2021.
Cronos Calls for Token Burn Reversal
The reissued tokens will be allocated to a Cronos Strategic Reserve escrow wallet. The move is designed to support Cronos’ and Crypto.com’s long-term roadmap.
“Making America the World Capital of Crypto will ensure the successful execution of the Cronos roadmap, hence we are proposing that the community vote on the creation of a Cronos Strategic reverse, a reversal of the February 2021 token burn, to support this ambition,” the blog read.
Cronos’ leadership frames this as a pivotal step toward a “new golden age” for the blockchain. The restored token supply is intended to bolster liquidity and provide a financial buffer for ecosystem growth.
A core focus of this strategy is institutional adoption. The roadmap aims to position CRO among the top 10 blockchain protocols, with plans to develop a CRO exchange-traded fund (ETF) to offer regulated exposure to institutional investors. Additionally, the project is working toward US regulatory approval to integrate the ETF into institutional liquidity pools.
Beyond the ETF, the Cronos Strategic Reserve will support broader initiatives. These include traditional finance (TradFi) crossover projects, primarily by seeding the CRO ETF. It will also fund artificial intelligence (AI)-related initiatives, such as grants, developer tools, and funding for decentralized applications (dApps).
The reserve will operate under strict controls. Tokens will vest linearly over 10 years, approximately every 30.4 days, through the Cosmos SDK vesting account on the Cronos POS chain. This ensures a gradual release that aims to balance supply dynamics while funding strategic initiatives.
However, the move has raised eyebrows among the community.
“Did Cronos just become the Federal Reserve? Printing CRO out of thin air? A burn is a burn. Burnt tokens shouldn’t be brought back to life,” said one user on X.
Some investors worry that this might put downward pressure on CRO’s price.
“How in the world would this be healthy for CRO price action?” wrote another user.
Despite the concerns about potential dilution, CRO has shown strong price performance, rallying by double digits.

At press time, CRO was trading at $0.09. This marked a 15.5% increase over the past day.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
AGNT, Sedracoin, and Lens Protocol

The crypto market attempts a recovery, with Bitcoin (BTC) pushing to hold above the $90,000 psychological level. Amidst the broader market’s bump in optimism, investors are eyeing airdrops as a potentially lucrative avenue in March.
Airdrops aim to distribute free tokens while attracting new followers and expanding user bases. This week, there are three significant airdrops to watch.
AGNT Hub
AGNT Hub, a decentralized platform combining artificial intelligence and blockchain tech, is one of the confirmed airdrops this week. The project announced an airdrop of 30 million AGNT tokens, which will serve as a launchpad for AI-powered agents and enable them to operate in various environments.
“iAgent has reserved 30 million AGNT for its airdrop,” airdrops farmer Ben’s crypto shared on X.
This airdrop will reward early adopters and community members participating in the platform’s activities and accumulating experience points (XP). Specifically, the airdrop campaign’s points-based system allows participants to earn XP through various activities, including daily check-ins, social media engagement, NFT (non-fungible token) mints, and platform interactions.
“The more XP accumulated, the higher the potential airdrop allocation. Unique NFTs tied to your achievements may unlock additional benefits in future token distributions. Participation is free, requiring only a wallet connection and completion of designated tasks,” aidrops.io indicated, citing AGNT Hub.
Reportedly, AGNT Hub has also secured approximately $5.2 million in funding. Key backers include PGgroup and a team of experienced engineers with over 10 years of blockchain and AI expertise. Notably, the AGNT Hub crypto airdrop will coincide with AGNT Hub’s token generation event (TGE)
Sedracoin
Another crypto airdrop to watch this week is Sedracoin, which brings forth the Sedra ecosystem. The platform meets users where nature, spirituality, and technology intersect, delivering what is advertised as “a harmonious digital environment.”
Its powering token, SDR, is the ecosystem’s primary medium of exchange. It enables transactions, staking opportunities, and various reward mechanisms across the entire ecosystem.
The Sedracoin airdrop is also confirmed. It runs on Zealy to distribute SDR tokens to early community members and supporters.
It uses a task-based system requiring participants to complete various social activities to earn XP (experience points). Ultimately, these points will determine user eligibility and potential reward allocation for the airdrop.
“Join the Sedra Airdrop Event! Earn SDR tokens & exclusive CTAs by completing Zealy quests! The more XP you farm, the bigger your rewards,” Sedracoin articulated.
The campaign also prioritizes community engagement and awareness building, meaning participants must complete social media tasks across different platforms.
Lens Protocol
Also on the list is Lens Protocol, whose airdrop comes after raising $46 million and is backed by Balaji Srinivasan, former Coinbase exchange CTO. Other backers include Delphi Ventures and USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin issuer Circle.
While it is still in potential airdrop status, the project has a significant Social media following. Interest comes from ecosystem activity, funding rounds, and hints from the team.
“The Lens Protocol Testnet is now live, and you can officially mint your Reputation Score,” NFT builder Den Da shared in a post.
Recent developments suggest a points-based system or retroactive rewards for early users might trigger an airdrop. Eligibility is likely tied to owning a Lens Profile NFT and engaging with the ecosystem, including Lenster, Lenstube, and Hey. Recent testnet activity on Lens Chain (a zkSync-based Layer 2) may also factor in.
Further, according to speculative estimates on X, between $1,000 and over $10,000 in LENS tokens could be airdropped. Notably, these assumptions follow past airdrops like Aptos or Blur. However, this hinges on token launch and market conditions, as no official figures exist.
Meanwhile, participation is largely free beyond minimal gas fees. However, if not claimed earlier, acquiring a Lens Profile NFT costs around 0.1 ETH (approximately $250-$300) on the OpenSea marketplace.
For investors and crypto enthusiasts, these airdrops offer the chance to acquire new tokens and join the active crypto communities.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
-
Altcoin24 hours ago
SOL, XRP, ADA Surge As Donald Trump Announces Strategic Reserve
-
Market24 hours ago
Trump Announces US Crypto Reserve with XRP, SOL, and ADA
-
Market22 hours ago
China Exposes Major DeepSeek Crypto Scam
-
Market23 hours ago
XRP Skyrockets 30% After US Crypto Reserve Inclusion
-
Altcoin21 hours ago
Ripple CEO Comments Following XRP’s Inclusion In Strategic Reserve
-
Altcoin20 hours ago
Binance Founder Reacts As Trump Fails To Name BNB In Strategic Reserve
-
Regulation18 hours ago
Cardano Founder Breaks Silence On White House Crypto Role Speculations
-
Altcoin11 hours ago
BTC & Altcoins Pump Hard Amid Trump’s Crypto Reserve Backing