NEAR Intents Identifies Hacker in $3.8M Exploit, Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum

NEAR Intents, a prominent protocol on the NEAR blockchain, was hacked for $3.8 million. The protocol's general manager, Alex Shevchenko, announced on Friday that the team has identified the individual responsible for the exploit, a development that could mark a turning point in the investigation.

In a direct statement, Shevchenko said, "We have identified you, sir," signaling that the team has traced the attacker's identity. The protocol has issued a 48-hour ultimatum, giving the hacker a narrow window to return the stolen funds before further action is taken. The deadline puts immediate pressure on the attacker while giving the protocol time to coordinate any escalation.

The exploit marks one of the more significant security incidents on the NEAR ecosystem in recent months. NEAR Intents has emerged as a key infrastructure protocol, and the hack underscores persistent vulnerabilities in the broader DeFi landscape where cross-chain and intent-based protocols have become attractive targets for sophisticated actors.

The 48-hour deadline sets up a tense standoff. If the funds are not returned, the protocol is expected to escalate, potentially involving law enforcement or onchain countermeasures. The situation will be closely watched by the NEAR community and the wider crypto market, as the outcome could shape how intent-based protocols handle security incidents going forward.

Source: Cointelegraph