Axie Infinity co-founder Jeff Zirlin, also known as Jihoz, fell victim to a significant cryptocurrency wallet hack, resulting in a loss of approximately $10 million. The attacker targeted two of Zirlin’s personal wallets, stealing a mix of cryptocurrencies, including Ronin (RON), Wrapped Ethereum (WETH), and Smooth Love Potion (SLP).
According to Lookonchain crypto analytics firm, the attacker swiped a mix of assets, including 3.2 million Ronin Network tokens ($9.53 million), 282.32 Wrapped Ether ($834,000), and smaller amounts of Pixelmon tokens, Smooth Love Potion, USD Coin, and Axie Infinity Shards. The stolen assets were converted into 3,249 Ether ($9.6 million) and ultimately deposited into the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash.
Axie Infinity Co-Founder Wallet Hacked
Subsequently, acknowledging the hack, Zirlin emphasized that the affected addresses were personal and unrelated to Sky Mavis. He reassured the community that Ronin’s validation and operations remained secure, and the stolen private keys had no ties to Sky Mavis, the company behind Axie Infinity.
“This has been a tough morning for me. Two of my addresses have been compromised,”. “The attack is limited to my personal accounts, and has nothing to do with validation or operations of the Ronin chain.”
Zirlin stated.
Ronin’s $625M Hack
Above all, this incident brings renewed attention to the cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency sector. In March 2022, hackers stole $625 million from the Ronin Network. The North Korean hacker group Lazarus launched an attack on the Ethereum sidechain used by the popular game Axie Infinity. While the recent hack was a setback, Zirlin remains committed to blockchain technology for economic freedom. Zirlin stated
“I am safe. I will get through this. I will keep pushing forward with each and everyone of you on this magical journey.”
Following this hack, it’s crucial to remember that even experienced individuals in the crypto space can fall victim to hacks. Regularly review and update security measures to safeguard personal wallets and prevent future attacks.
