The $1.4 Billion Bybit Hack: What No One Is Telling You About Making Money in Crypto’s Darkest Moments | by Abhaya Anil | The Capital | Feb, 2025
Let’s skip the fluff. You’re here because you want to make serious money in crypto — and you’re tired of hearing the same old advice about HODLing, avoiding FOMO, or “doing your own research.”
Here’s a real secret: The biggest opportunities come wrapped in chaos. And nothing screams chaos louder than the biggest crypto hack in history.
On February 21, 2025, Bybit got hit — hard.
$1.4 billion gone in a blink, dwarfing every crypto hack that came before it. It wasn’t just another headline — it was 60% of all stolen funds in 2024 in one single hit.
Most people saw fear. But here’s what savvy investors know: Fear creates gaps. And those gaps? That’s where serious money moves happen.
Right after a major hack, liquidity dries up. Prices dip on platforms tied to the bad news.
But here’s the twist — this isn’t the time to panic. This is where the sharpest players quietly stack up discounted assets while everyone else is running scared.
Here’s the part they won’t tell you: When a hack like Bybit’s happens, the real money isn’t lost — it’s moving.
The whales and institutions? They’re buying while retail investors are busy doom-scrolling. But what’s their secret sauce?
They use blockchain forensics tools — like Nansen or Glassnode — to track where hacked funds are moving.
If those funds suddenly hit certain exchanges, prices can fluctuate fast. Getting ahead of those moves can be the difference between walking away with a win or just another loss story.
Here’s something most people won’t dare try: Trace the stolen funds.
No, you’re not turning into Sherlock Holmes overnight — but blockchain is transparent.
Hackers aren’t as invisible as they think. Platforms like Etherscan let you track wallet movements in real-time.
When stolen funds hit a mixer or get broken into smaller chunks? That’s your signal.
Coins associated with the hack often take a price hit — but if you know which ones and when to buy back in, you can catch the rebound before the mainstream catches on.
After every big hack, one pattern repeats: Market panic — then recovery.
Bybit’s situation will likely follow the same cycle. Once the dust settles, exchanges beef up security, and trust begins to rebuild. That’s when coins tied to these platforms start bouncing back.
Here’s the kicker: Historical data shows that exchanges hit by hacks often come back stronger.
Take BNB Chain after its $568 million hit — it not only survived, but BNB recovered faster than anyone expected. Why? Users saw improved security measures as a vote of confidence.
- Short-Term Shorts: Immediately after a hack, short tokens linked to the affected platform. It’s risky but profitable if you move fast.
- DeFi Fallout Opportunities: Hacks often ripple into DeFi protocols indirectly connected. Keep an eye on liquidity pools that might be affected and swoop in when panic selling drives down token prices unnecessarily.
- Insurance Tokens: Platforms like Nexus Mutual offer insurance against DeFi hacks. These tokens often surge right after a big exploit — investors rush in, fearing the next big hit.
- Bet on Security Upgrades: Watch for exchanges announcing major security overhauls post-hack. Coins tied to those exchanges usually see a price bump once the changes roll out.
- Buy the Blood in Related Altcoins: When a big exchange like Bybit gets hit, traders panic-sell related altcoins. If those tokens weren’t directly affected, that’s your discount window.
It sounds wild, but understanding hacker strategies can help you think two steps ahead. Hackers exploit weak points that most overlook.
You should flip that logic — find undervalued projects with strong security features. Platforms that just survived a major scare often become some of the safest places to park your money afterward.
You don’t make life-changing money by following the herd. You make it by spotting the cracks in the system — and knowing when to strike.
The Bybit hack was historic, yes. But for those who know where to look, it’s not just bad news — it’s a signal.
Stay sharp, stay ready, and remember: In crypto, fortune doesn’t just favor the brave — it favors the informed.
