Ethereum
What we know about the $49.5 million Infini exploit so far


- Infini neobank hacked for $49.5M USDC, swapped for 17,696 ETH.
- The attacker exploited retained admin privileges in Infini’s smart contract.
- Infini’s founder has promised full compensation, citing negligence in authority transfer.
On February 24, 2025, Infini, a Hong Kong-based stablecoin neobank blending cryptocurrency and traditional finance, experienced a devastating security breach, resulting in the loss of approximately $49.5 million in USD Coin (USDC) as earlier reported.
The exploit, first flagged by blockchain security firm CertiK at 3:18 AM UTC, has sent shockwaves through the decentralized finance (DeFi) community, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities in the crypto space, especially following the recent $1.4 billion Bybit hack on February 21, 2025.
The Infini attack
The attack targeted an Infini-related smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain, specifically the address 0x9A79f4105A4e1A050Ba0b42F25351D394fA7E1DC.
According to security analysts from CertiK, Cyvers, Blocksec, and PeckShield, a hacker gained unauthorized access by exploiting retained administrative privileges within the contract. The attacker, operating from the address 0xc49b5e5b9da66b9126c1a62e9761e6b2147de3e1, had initially developed the smart contract for Infini but retained control, unbeknownst to the project.
This insider access allowed the hacker to manipulate the contract’s settings, draining $49.5 million in USDC from what is believed to be the Morpho MEV Capital Usual USDC Vault.
Following the theft, the hacker swiftly converted the stolen USDC into Dai (DAI) and then purchased 17,696 Ethereum (ETH), valued at around $49 million at the time.
It seems that the stablecoin bank @0xinfini was hacked and 49.5M $USDC was stolen.
The hacker swapped 49.5M $USDC for 49.5M $DAI and bought 17,696 $ETH.
The 17,696 $ETH was transferred to a new wallet “0xfcc8…6e49”.https://t.co/AdAyB3q5LA pic.twitter.com/Rft6ZDtDWO
— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) February 24, 2025
The funds were then transferred to a new wallet, 0xfcc8…6e49, and split across multiple addresses, with initial funding traced to Tornado Cash, a privacy tool often used to obscure cryptocurrency transactions. However, at the time of reporting, the ETH remained unmixed, indicating ongoing efforts to trace the hacker’s movements.
Infini’s response
Infini, which launched in 2024 as a digital-only neobank offering stablecoin transactions, crypto card services, and high-yield accounts, has issued an official statement acknowledging the security breach stating that “all transfers, deposits, withdrawals, and payments remain in normal usage and working status.”
We’re aware of reports on a security compromise affecting Infini. We’re deeply sorry for the concern this causes – our team is working around the clock to investigate and secure all systems at the moment.
All transfers, deposits, withdrawals, and payments remain in normal usage…
— Infini (@0xinfini) February 24, 2025
Infini’s founder, Christian Li, took full responsibility for the exploit in a post on X, clarifying that the breach did not result from a private key leak but rather his negligence in transferring authority from the developer to the project. “My personal private key has not been leaked, so there is no need to worry too much. I was negligent when transferring the authority before. It is ultimately my responsibility. This has sounded the alarm… There is no problem with liquidity. Full compensation can be paid, and the funds are being traced,” he wrote.
Despite this reassurance, some on-chain analyses, including from PeckShield, suggest a potential private key compromise, adding complexity to the investigation.
Impact of the exploit
The exploit has raised serious questions about private key management, smart contract security, and the risks of insider threats in DeFi platforms.
Infini, which has experienced meteoric growth, boasting a 500% monthly increase in active users since its inception, particularly after launching its crypto card campaigns, now faces a critical test of its resilience. The neobank’s high-yield products, designed to attract liquidity, inadvertently provided the conditions for the exploit, amplifying the financial impact.
This incident follows closely on the heels of the Bybit exchange hack, which saw a staggering $1.4 billion drained through manipulated smart contract logic. The similarity in tactics, splitting and mixing ETH, has led on-chain investigator ZachXBT to speculate that the Lazarus hacker group, known for such methods, might be involved, though no direct link to Infini’s attacker has been confirmed.
Lazarus Group just connected the Bybit hack to the Phemex hack directly on-chain commingling funds from the intial theft address for both incidents.
Overlap address:
0x33d057af74779925c4b2e720a820387cb89f8f65Bybit hack txns on Feb 22, 2025:… pic.twitter.com/dh2oHUBCvW
— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) February 22, 2025
The rapid succession of these high-profile breaches has reignited calls for robust security protocols across centralized and decentralized crypto platforms.
Interestingly, the influx of stolen ETH into the market has paradoxically catalyzed a small rally, pushing Ethereum’s price above $2,800 for the first time in weeks as exchanges scrambled to replenish reserves.
However, the Infini incident has also sparked concerns about potential money laundering or hostile regime financing, given the use of Tornado Cash and the scale of the theft.
Ethereum
Ethereum’s Price Dips, But Investors Seize The Opportunity To Stack Up More ETH


Comparing current price action with past performances, Ethereum, the second-largest crypto asset, seems to have witnessed its worst-ever first quarter as it draws closer to its end. However, many investors are expressing interest in ETH’s prospects again, purchasing the asset in huge chunks.
Investors Buying The Ethereum’s Price Dip
Ethereum has continued to struggle to undergo a major upward move even as other digital assets make history in the ongoing market cycle. Despite the recent pullback in ETH’s price, Ali Martinez, a seasoned crypto analyst and trader, has highlighted a renewed bullish sentiment among investors.
Specifically, investors are seizing the opportunity to stack up on ETH in light of ongoing price correction, signaling interest and confidence in the asset’s long-term potential. This buying activity suggests that seasoned traders are considering the current drop as a strategic entry or buying point.
According to Ali Martinez, the development was spotted as Ethereum encountered a significant resistance wall between the $2,200 and $2,580 price mark. Examining the data from IntoTheBlock, the expert reported that over 12.43 million investors purchased a massive portion of 66.18 million ETH within the $2,200 and $2,580 price zones.
These kinds of accumulation show that both retail and institutional investors are hopeful about the market. Should this substantial buying activity extend, Ali Martinez is confident that bullish momentum might build up for ETH, leading to a break above the zone.

Market analyst and trader CryptoELITES predicts a robust upswing for ETH to new all-time highs in the upcoming weeks. CryptoELITES prediction is based on past price trends in which ETH witnessed a massive rally after a lengthy period of downward movements.
Delving into the recent price action, the expert believes ETH’s correction has reached a bottom similar to the 2017 and 2021 bull market cycles. With the altcoin potentially reaching a bottom, CryptoELITES anticipates an over 700% upsurge in 2025.
A 700% surge will bring the altcoin’s price to the $15,000 milestone before the ongoing bull market cycle completes. Given that Ethereum is mirroring past trends, a possible price reversal could be on the horizon.
ETH Eyeing A Breakout From Key Chart Pattern
While ETH is facing volatility, it is presently at a critical junction that might determine its next move. Jonathan Carter, a crypto and technical analyst, reveals that Ethereum is holding above the lower boundary of a Descending Triangle formation after navigating its price in the 4-hour time frame.
At this zone, the asset might muster enough momentum for a rebound. Carter expects a bounce from the current support zone to push ETH toward key resistance levels at $1,950, $2,080, $2,230, and $2,320. However, if the altcoin falls below the support, the price may drop further to the downside.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from Tradingview.com

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Ethereum
Ethereum Price Confirms Breakout From Ascending Triangle, Target Set At $7,800

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The Ethereum price has finally broken out of a months-long consolidation pattern, signaling the possible start of a significant bullish move. The recent breakout of an Ascending Triangle formation suggests that ETH is set for more gains, with a crypto analyst suggesting a price target of $7,800 in the coming months.
Ethereum Price Targets $7,700 ATH
The Ethereum price is believed to be targeting a new all-time high of $7,800 after its recent breakout from an Ascending Triangle. For months now, the cryptocurrency has been trading within this classic bullish chart pattern, where prices make higher lows while facing strong resistance at a fixed level.
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This consolidation pattern has been active since late 2024, establishing strong resistance at $4,000. TradingView analyst Sohaibfx has predicted that if Ethereum can surpass this resistance level, it would confirm a bullish trend, leading to a strong upward continuation in its price.
Looking at the analyst’s price chart, Ethereum spent several months navigating between $2,000 and $4,000 in Q1 2025. This region represented an accumulation phase where buyers had quietly built their positions in anticipation of a potential rally.

A descending channel marked in orange in the price chart also shows that Ethereum had experienced a significant pullback mid-to-late 2024 before breaking out. This was likely the final shakeout before it regained its bullish momentum.
According to Sohaibfx, a measured move of the Ascending Triangle suggests that Ethereum is poised for an explosive 333% surge to $7,800. This bullish target is calculated by determining the height of the triangle, which is the difference between its base at $2,000 and resistance level at $4,000.
When the price breaks above the resistance, the common method for estimating the possible next move is to add the triangle’s height to the breakout point, which gives a technical target of $6,000. However, based on past price behaviour and strong buying momentum, the Ethereum price could push even higher, with $7,800 being a key psychological level.
Support Levels And Momentum Indicators To Watch
In his price analysis, Sohaibfx has pinpointed the $4,000 and $3,000 price levels as support levels for Ethereum. This support should act as a safety net, where buyers are likely to step in to prevent further decline after Ethereum reaches its projected $7,800 target.
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Moving forward, the analyst highlights key momentum indicators that should be monitored. While the analyst’s chart does not specify indicators like Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) or Relative Strength Index (RSI), Ethereum’s sharp upward move suggests that strong momentum will be a major contributor to its rise to a new ATH.
Sohaibfx has advised traders to watch out for RSI levels above 70, as overbought conditions could signal a potential pullback while Ethereum approaches higher levels.
Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
Ethereum
Ethereum To $20K? Investor Says Real-World Adoption Is The Key

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that’s not just a metaphor, it’s a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.
Christian’s journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).
Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling – right up his alley!
So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he’s one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).
Think Christian’s all work and no play? Not a chance! When he’s not at his computer, you’ll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.
Speaking of chill, Christian’s got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.
Here’s the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day – and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.
Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors – and bosses – he deeply respects.
So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.