Market
Lazarus Completes Laundering Bybit Hack Funds via THORChain

The Lazarus Group has already laundered all the unfrozen funds it stole from the recent Bybit hack. The group used THORChain’s DEX to convert ETH tokens, sparking community criticisms.
Some users blamed THORChain validators for negligence, claiming that they could’ve stopped the transactions. Others defended the platform, claiming it’s an open-source and decentralized organization, not a law enforcement agency.
Lazarus Laundered Bybit’s Money
Arkham Intelligence, the blockchain analytics platform, revealed a new development in the recent Bybit hack. The firm posted a bounty for information about the incident, discovering that the Lazarus Group was responsible. Today it confirmed that all the funds from the Bybit hack have been successfully laundered.
“Lazarus has now fully laundered the proceeds of the Bybit hack. They have transferred 500,000 ETH mainly to native BTC. Thorchain has processed over $5.5 billion in volume since Bybit was hacked on the 21st of February,” Arkham claimed via social media.
The Bybit hack was the largest crime in crypto history, stealing $1.5 billion in Ethereum tokens. Two days ago, analysts confirmed that Lazarus had already laundered 70% of the stolen Bybit funds.
Lazarus moved very fast, however. Yesterday, Bybit CEO Ben Zhou noted that 83% had been converted to Bitcoin, and now the entire supply has been processed.
Bybit CEO Zhou also claimed that Lazarus laundered 72% of Bybit’s assets through THORChain, a decentralized exchange/blockchain network. The vast majority of transactions converting ETH to BTC went through this exchange.
Also, THORChain’s 24-hour trading volume spiked due to the sheer size of these transactions, surpassing several much more prominent networks.

Already, a few people have begun blaming THORChain for the debacle. As one user pointed out, the Lazarus Group laundered huge quantities of Bybit’s money, and the exchange did nothing to stop them.
It actually collected $3 million in fees from the affair. Still, THORChain defenders have pointed out that it is open-source and decentralized, not a law enforcement agency.
“The only reason why people feel that THORChain should censor transactions is the general feeling that if they put enough pressure on Node Operators, they will buckle under pressure (which honestly can happen). Nobody is asking that from Bitcoin and Ethereum, because it feels impossible. Thorchain needs to win the battle of narratives,” said Runemir, Chief Narrative Officer at Qi Capital.
In short, the whole affair is very messy. Taking the pro-THORChain arguments at face value, then decentralized institutions are structurally vulnerable to facilitating massive finance crimes.
If Lazarus Group can successfully use these platforms to launder billions, that’s simply the cost of doing business. It’s hardly an appealing picture of decentralized finance as an economic model.
On the other hand, the loudest criticisms also leave something to be desired. THORChain’s RUNE token briefly spiked due to these high trade volumes, but the gains have already disappeared.
The firm’s involvement with Bybit laundering will likely follow its reputation for years, and this won’t do it any favors. If THORChain validators were acting in self-interest, it was a shortsighted move.
In any event, it’s impossible to track down clean motivations for everyone involved in this story. The Lazarus Group laundered a huge amount of funds from the Bybit hack, and there’s a lot of blame to go around.
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
What to Expect on May 7

The highly anticipated Pectra upgrade will launch on the Ethereum (ETH) mainnet on May 7, 2025, after overcoming a series of technical challenges and delays in the testnet phase.
Ethereum developers announced the date during the All Core Developers Consensus (ACDC) meeting on April 3, 2025.
Pectra Upgrade Countdown Begins
The upgrade was initially slated for a tentative mainnet launch on April 30. However, Ethereum developers have postponed the launch by one week.
“We’ll go ahead and lock in May 7 for Pectra on mainnet,” Ethereum Foundation researcher Alex Stokes said.
In preparation for this, Stokes confirmed that client releases will be made available by April 21, ensuring that all users have the necessary updates and tools ahead of the mainnet launch. On April 23, a detailed blog post outlining the Pectra mainnet will be published.
The Pectra upgrade will introduce 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) to enhance various aspects of the network. Notably, three EIPs are dedicated to improving the validator experience.
The first is EIP-7251. This will increase the staking limit for validators from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH per validator. This change aims to enhance capital efficiency for large stakers and staking pools.
“This simplifies the staking experience, allowing users to manage multiple validators under one node instead of several,” an analyst remarked.
Moreover, EIP-7002 introduces execution-layer triggerable withdrawals, giving validators more control. Meanwhile, EIP-6110 reduces the deposit processing delay from about 9 hours to just 13 minutes.
The upgrade will also include EIP-7702, a major step toward account abstraction. It allows Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) to gain smart contract functionality while maintaining simplicity. This enables features like transaction batching, gas sponsorship (where third parties pay fees), passkey-based authentication, spending controls, and asset recovery mechanisms.
Finally, the upgrade increases blob capacity through EIP-7691. In addition, EIP-7623 helps manage the increased bandwidth requirements. These updates aim to make Ethereum more scalable, efficient, and user-friendly.
It is worth noting that the road to the mainnet launch has not been without hurdles. Two previous tests on the Holesky and Sepolia test networks failed to finalize properly. However, Pectra achieved full finalization on the Hoodi testnet on March 26, marking a significant milestone toward the successful deployment of the upgrade.
Despite the technical progress, ETH continues to face market challenges.

Data from BeInCrypto shows that ETH dropped 4.8% over the past week, with weekly losses extending to 17.1%. At the time of writing, the altcoin was trading at $1,822, reflecting a small daily gain of 0.8%.
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
XRP Futures and Illinois Lawsuit Relief

Coinbase filed with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to launch futures contracts for Ripple’s XRP token.
The move comes after a positive development for the crypto derivatives market in the US, reflecting shifting regulatory ties in the country.
Coinbase Files for XRP Futures Trading With CFTC
Coinbase Derivatives has submitted a filing to self-certify XRP futures. It will provide a regulated, capital-efficient means for market participants to gain exposure to XRP. The new contract could go live as soon as April 21.
“We’re excited to announce that Coinbase Derivatives has filed with the CFTC to self-certify XRP futures – bringing a regulated, capital-efficient way to gain exposure to one of the most liquid digital assets. We anticipate the contract going live on April 21, 2025,” read the announcement.
Meanwhile, the official filing indicates that the XRP futures contract will be a monthly cash-settled and margined contract trading under the symbol XRL.
Each contract represents 10,000 XRP and will be settled in US dollars. Trading will be available for the current month and two subsequent months. As a protective measure, trading will be temporarily halted if the spot XRP price moves more than 10% within an hour.

The Coinbase Exchange also confirmed that it has engaged with Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs) and other market participants. Both references reportedly expressed support for the launch.
However, Coinbase is not the first US-based exchange to introduce regulated XRP futures. In March, Chicago-based Bitnomial launched what it advertised as the country’s first CFTC-regulated XRP futures contract.
For Coinbase, however, the boldness comes after the CFTC eased key regulatory hurdles for crypto derivatives trading. As BeInCrypto reported, this signaled a more accommodating stance towards the sector.
“Pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC” or “Commission”) Regulation 40.2(a), Coinbase Derivatives, LLC (the “Exchange” or “COIN”) hereby submits for self-certification its initial listing of the XRP Futures contract to be offered for trading on the Exchange…,” an excerpt in the filing indicated.
This suggests that the commodities regulator’s shift, revoking previous crypto-related guidelines, may boost institutional confidence. For XRP, this development bolsters confidence in the asset’s previously contentious status following Ripple’s recent regulatory breakthrough.
“Coinbase Derivatives’ filing with the CFTC to self-certify XRP futures aims to legitimize XRP trading by offering a regulated, capital-efficient product for investors,” one user remarked.
The futures contract might also help the odds of XRP ETF approval. Recently, the SEC delayed several applications to create one, and its status is in limbo.

Data on Polymarket shows bettors see a 74% chance for XRP ETF approval in 2025 and a more modest 34% by July 31.
Regulatory and Legal Developments Favor Coinbase
Elsewhere, the timing of this filing aligns with recent favorable regulatory developments for Coinbase. Reports suggest Illinois intends to drop its lawsuit against the exchange over its staking services.
Up to 10 states filed a lawsuit against Coinbase in June 2023 alleging that its staking program constituted unregistered securities offerings.
This recent development makes Illinois the fourth state to withdraw legal action against Coinbase. Vermont, South Carolina, and Kentucky also dismissed their cases on March 13, 27, and 31, respectively.
However, the cases remain active in Alabama, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington and Wisconsin.
These legal retreats coincide with the US SEC’s (Securities and Exchange Commission) February decision to abandon its federal lawsuit against Coinbase. BeInCrypto reported that this development marked a broader shift in the regulatory approach under the current administration.
“Regulators are losing steam, and Coinbase is stacking quiet courtroom wins. Staking’s future in the US might just be back on track,” a user commented.
Illinois’ decision to drop its lawsuit comes as the state advances a Bitcoin strategic reserve bill. Specifically, Illinois State Representative John M. Cabello introduced House Bill 1844 (HB1844), highlighting Bitcoin’s potential as a decentralized, finite digital asset.
“A strategic bitcoin reserve aligns with Illinois’ commitment to fostering innovation in digital assets and providing Illinoisans with enhanced financial security,” the bill read.
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
Dogecoin (DOGE) Bleeds Further—Fresh Weekly Lows Test Investor Patience

Dogecoin started a fresh decline from the $0.180 zone against the US Dollar. DOGE is consolidating and might struggle to recover above $0.1680.
- DOGE price started a fresh decline below the $0.1750 and $0.170 levels.
- The price is trading below the $0.1680 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average.
- There was a break below a key bullish trend line forming with support at $0.170 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
- The price could extend losses if it breaks the $0.1550 support zone.
Dogecoin Price Dips Again
Dogecoin price started a fresh decline after it failed to clear $0.180, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. DOGE dipped below the $0.1750 and $0.1720 support levels.
There was a break below a key bullish trend line forming with support at $0.170 on the hourly chart of the DOGE/USD pair. The bears were able to push the price below the $0.1620 support level. It even traded close to the $0.1550 support.
A low was formed at $0.1555 and the price is now consolidating losses. There was a minor move above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $0.180 swing high to the $0.1555 low.
Dogecoin price is now trading below the $0.170 level and the 100-hourly simple moving average. Immediate resistance on the upside is near the $0.1650 level. The first major resistance for the bulls could be near the $0.1680 level. It is near the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $0.180 swing high to the $0.1555 low.
The next major resistance is near the $0.1740 level. A close above the $0.1740 resistance might send the price toward the $0.180 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $0.1880 level. The next major stop for the bulls might be $0.1950.
Another Decline In DOGE?
If DOGE’s price fails to climb above the $0.170 level, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $0.160 level. The next major support is near the $0.1550 level.
The main support sits at $0.150. If there is a downside break below the $0.150 support, the price could decline further. In the stated case, the price might decline toward the $0.1320 level or even $0.120 in the near term.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for DOGE/USD is now losing momentum in the bearish zone.
Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for DOGE/USD is now above the 50 level.
Major Support Levels – $0.1600 and $0.1550.
Major Resistance Levels – $0.1680 and $0.1740.
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