Wormhole’s 2022 hacker was briefly eligible for its airdrop

The article titled “Wormhole’s 2022 hacker was briefly eligible for its airdrop” discusses a recent incident where the hacker behind a massive $320 million hack on the wormhole bridge in 2022 was briefly added to a list of eligible users for its W token airdrop. The hacker’s wallet addresses connected to the hack were initially eligible for the airdrop, which could have allowed them to claim $50,000 worth of the newly launched W token. However, the Wormhole team quickly rectified the situation by removing the addresses from the list. This incident raises concerns about the security of the airdrop and the presence of scammers targeting users.

Wormhole’s 2022 hacker was eligible for its airdrop

The hacker responsible for the massive $320 million hack on the Wormhole bridge in 2022 found themselves briefly added to the list of eligible users for its W token airdrop. The oversight was brought to light in a post by pseudonymous researcher Pland on X, formerly known as Twitter. It was discovered that the team behind Wormhole had forgotten to remove wallets tied to some wallet addresses associated with the hack.

Background of the hack

In 2022, Wormhole experienced a significant breach when a hacker managed to exploit the cross-chain bridge, resulting in the theft of $320 million. Data from Degen News from X confirmed that the Solana checker link Airdrop.link indicated that the four wallets connected to the hack were eligible for the airdrop. If the hackers had chosen to claim their eligible tokens, they would have been able to receive $50,000 worth of the newly launched W token.

Inclusion of hacker in airdrop list

Although the hacker’s wallets were initially considered eligible for the airdrop, a subsequent check on the website revealed that they had been deemed ineligible. The Wormhole team quickly rectified the oversight and removed the wallets from the list of recipients. Additionally, Solana Block Explorer tagged the four wallets for their associations with the 2022 wormhole breach.

Value of airdrop for hackers

The W token airdrop from Wormhole was highly anticipated by users of the platform. However, for the hackers involved in the breach, it would have represented an opportunity to profit further from their illicit activities. The potential value of $50,000 in W tokens would have been a significant windfall for the individuals responsible for the hack.

Removal of hacker from airdrop list

Upon discovering the oversight, the Wormhole team took swift action to remove the hacker’s wallets from the list of eligible recipients. This ensured that the airdrop tokens were distributed only to deserving participants and not to individuals responsible for the breach. The removal of the hacker from the airdrop list demonstrated Wormhole’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the distribution process.

Tagging of hacker wallets by Solana Block Explorer

To further address the situation, Solana Block Explorer tagged the four wallets connected to the 2022 Wormhole breach. By publicly identifying and marking these wallets, the blockchain community can be aware of their involvement in the hack. This tagging serves as a warning and aids in tracking any future activities associated with these wallets.

W token airdrop and security concerns

The Wormhole breach drew significant attention within the crypto community due to the substantial funds stolen from the platform. The hackers made off with approximately $320 million, marking it as one of the largest breaches in the history of the crypto sector. In response, Oasis.app and Jump Crypto, two prominent players in the decentralized finance space, collaborated to counter the exploit.

Counter exploit by Oasis.app and Jump Crypto

Oasis.app and Jump Crypto successfully executed a joint attack to recover a portion of the stolen digital assets. Approximately $225 million worth of various digital assets were retrieved from the hacker, showcasing the effectiveness of their counter measures. This collective effort demonstrated the resilience of the crypto community in addressing security concerns and recovering stolen funds.

Recovery of stolen digital assets

The recovery of $225 million in stolen digital assets by Oasis.app and Jump Crypto brought a sense of justice to the Wormhole breach incident. It served as a message to hackers that their actions would not go unpunished and that the community would take active steps to reclaim stolen funds. The successful recovery also provided a degree of reassurance to users that their assets were protected and that efforts were being made to maintain the security of the ecosystem.

Announcement of W token airdrop

To reward eligible users and promote community participation, Wormhole announced an airdrop of its W tokens. The distribution was scheduled to take place on “Wormhole Wednesday,” with over 617 million tokens set to be distributed among users across various chains. The airdrop aimed to engage users and facilitate wider adoption of the platform, showcasing Wormhole’s commitment to fostering an active and supportive community.

Distribution of tokens on ‘Wormhole Wednesday’

The planned distribution of tokens on “Wormhole Wednesday” generated excitement among users, as they eagerly anticipated receiving their share of W tokens. The distribution process aimed to be seamless and efficient, ensuring that eligible users received their tokens promptly. “Wormhole Wednesday” served as a significant event for the platform, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding its community.

Concerns about the airdrop implications

While the Wormhole airdrop generated enthusiasm, it also raised concerns within the crypto community. Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT pointed out that scammers and hackers had started targeting users soon after the airdrop was announced. Many fake accounts on social media platforms, including X, were attempting to deceive users by posing as official handles affiliated with reputable firms. These scammers typically lure users into clicking on phishing links and subsequently steal their assets.

Scammers and hackers targeting users

The presence of scammers and hackers attempting to exploit the Wormhole airdrop reflected the potential risks associated with such events. Users needed to exercise caution and remain vigilant to protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes. It became crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of accounts and links before engaging with them, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong security measures in the crypto space.

In conclusion, the inclusion of the hacker from the 2022 Wormhole breach on the airdrop list highlighted the potential challenges associated with securely managing token distributions. Wormhole swiftly rectified the oversight and removed the hacker’s eligibility, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the distribution process. The joint efforts of Oasis.app and Jump Crypto to counter the exploit and recover stolen funds showcased the resilience of the crypto community in addressing security concerns. However, the announcement of the W token airdrop also drew attention to the presence of scammers and hackers targeting users, emphasizing the need for caution and vigilance to protect against fraudulent activities in the crypto space.