You are here: Home / News / Major Sui Exploit: $29 Million Stolen and Laundered with Tornado Cash
January 28, 2025 by Mwongera Taitumu
- $29 Million SUI Token Theft Highlights Blockchain Vulnerabilities
- Sui Network Faces Major Exploit as $29 Million in Tokens Stolen
- SUI Token Theft Exposes Risks, Attacker Launders Funds Through Tornado Cash
A recent blockchain exploit has shaken the Sui network, with $29 million in SUI tokens stolen and moved across Ethereum. The attackers cleverly used Tornado Cash to obscure their trail, leaving behind serious concerns for the blockchain ecosystem.
Sui Network Faces Major Exploit
A recent blockchain exploit has exposed the theft of $29 million in SUI tokens. The attack targeted a major holder on the Sui network, revealing increasing blockchain vulnerabilities. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT reported the breach, which took place on December 12, 2024. The attackers stole 6.27 million SUI tokens and transferred the funds to Ethereum using bridging tools. They used Tornado Cash to launder the stolen assets and cover their tracks.
The affected user moved their .sui domain holdings to a secure wallet to limit further losses. However, tracking the stolen funds has proven difficult. The Sui network’s block explorers and analytics tools lack the capabilities to fully trace the funds. ZachXBT emphasized the difficulty of tracking the theft due to the current limitations in the network’s infrastructure.
Security Risks Increase for New Blockchains
In addition to the Sui attack, the Phemex exchange in Singapore also reported suspicious activity. The exchange faced losses of over $37 million in various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and TRON. These attacks underscore the increasing challenges that both established and emerging blockchain systems face in terms of security.
Sui’s rapid rise in popularity has made it an attractive target for cybercriminals. The blockchain, launched in 2023, has gained attention because of its innovative features. It supports the Move programming language and enables parallel transaction processing. Sui has quickly expanded, to reach more than 50 million registered accounts and a market capitalization of $12 billion. Its growth has positioned it as the 16th largest cryptocurrency.
Sui to curb exploits through technological advancements
Even though Sui has suffered massive losses from the exploit, it is committed to improve security and expand its ecosystem. The blockchain’s co-founder, Adeniyi Abiodun, revealed plans for 2025. Sui intends to strengthen its focus on artificial intelligence, gaming, and fintech applications. Moreover, Sui aims to address the growing demand for practical blockchain solutions through faster transaction speeds and innovations in decentralized finance.
The rise in cyberattacks emphasizes the need for more robust security measures across blockchain platforms. The Sui network, a growing blockchain, will likely continue to face security challenges. However, the team’s focus on improving its tools and expanding its applications demonstrates a commitment to long-term success. As blockchain ecosystems mature, it is critical to safeguard against attacks.