24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Ethereum Community Split Over Onchain Rollback Amid Bybit Hack

A debate is raging in Ethereum circles over a proposal to roll back the network amid Bybit’s $1.4 billion loss to North Korean hackers.
Published by
Ethereum Community Split Over Onchain Rollback Amid Bybit Hack

Highlights

  • Industry stakeholders are split over a proposal for a blockchain rollback for the Ethereum network following Bybit’s security breach.
  • Supporters for the rollback are hinging their claims on Ethereum’s 2016 hardfork after its DAO hack.
  • North Korean hackers stole $1.5 billion in ETH from Bybit in a daring heist at the end of the week.

As Bybit picks up the pieces from its jarring security breach, the Ethereum (ETF) community has been buzzing with speculation over the network’s future. One side of the divide makes a case for a blockchain rollback designed to eliminate malicious transactions, while the purists argue that the move will “kill” Ethereum’s credibility.

Advertisement

Forging Ahead With a Rollback

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has declared support for a rollback for the top layer 1 network, pitching his tent on the premise of Ethereum’s hard fork in 2016. For Hayes, since the network has undergone a previous hardfork, a rollback to stifle the ability of North Korean hackers to use stolen assets should be an easy choice for validators.

Samson Mow, Jan3 CEO, endorsed the proposed rollback in conversations with Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Mow’s theory proposes the $ETH ticker for the rolled-back chain and renaming the current chain $ETHNK, urging Coinbase and other exchanges to delist the token from their platforms.

While the debate rages on, hardliners in the Ethereum community may be swayed by claims that the stolen ETH by state-sponsored hackers will be used to fund North Korea’s nuclear weapon programs. The $1.5 billion pilfered from the Bybit hack surpasses previous security breaches in scale, dwarfing the top five biggest hacks of 2024 by a country mile.

A blockchain rollback is an event that reverses confirmed transactions on a network to a previous state. Traditionally, the concept involves chain deployment after security breaches, and it takes several forms, including forks and chain reorganizations.

Advertisement

Ethereum Community Against The Rollback

Amid the Bybit hack, blockchain proponents in the Ethereum community are adopting a hard stance against a rollback proposal, citing the grim potential of eroding Ethereum’s credibility in the grand scheme.

“A rollback can only happen if you split the chain. Ethereum’s reliability and neutrality would be at risk,” said pseudonymous crypto trader Borovik on X. “This should never happen, under no circumstances.”

Borovik’s argument has received support from Bitcoin proponent Jimmy Song, who notes that the Bybit incident is significantly different from 2016’s DAO hack. Song’s claim against a rollback hinges on the fact that the Bybit hack is a settled affair, while the DAO hack took a month to execute.

“I know people are expecting the Ethereum Foundation to roll back the chain, but I suspect it’s already too much of a mess to do it cleanly,” said Song

Share
Aliyu Pokima

Aliyu Pokima is a seasoned cryptocurrency and emerging technologies journalist with a knack for covering needle-moving stories in the space. Aliyu delivers breaking news stories, regulatory updates, and insightful analysis with depth and precision. When he's not poring over charts or following leads, Aliyu enjoys playing the bass guitar, lifting weights and running marathons.

Published by
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Recent Posts

  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Justin Sun Pledges $20M Buy Following WLFI Wallet Freeze

Justin Sun Justin Justin Sun responded to World Liberty Financial freezing his wallet by promising…

September 6, 2025
  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Expert Blames ‘Secret Committee’ for Rejecting MSTR Stock Inclusion to S&P 500

Michael Saylor's Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) missed the inclusion in the S&P 500 index on Friday,…

September 6, 2025
  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

MARA Bitcoin Treasury Nears $6 Billion, Trails Only Strategy in Public Rankings

MARA Holdings, Inc. announced that it now holds $5.9 billion worth of Bitcoin. This cements…

September 6, 2025
  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Senate Banking Committee Releases Updated Draft Crypto Market Structure Bill

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has released an updated version of the draft Crypto Market…

September 6, 2025
  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Michael Saylor’s Strategy Fails To Make S&P 500 Listing, MSTR Stock Drops

Strategy, led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, has been left out of the latest S&P…

September 6, 2025
  • 24/7 Cryptocurrency News

Solana Treasury Company SOL Strategies Gets Approval To List On Nasdaq

SOL Strategies Inc. has received approval to be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.…

September 6, 2025