Heist $25 million in digital currency in just 12 seconds

The two Peraire-Bueno brothers, who studied computer science and mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, attacked and stole $25 million in Ethereum digital currency from the platform in just 12 seconds.

Heist $25 million in digital currency in just 12 seconds Picture 1

According to authorities, two brothers Anton Peraire-Bueno, 24 years old, and James Peraire-Bueno, 28 years old, carried out this sophisticated theft in April 2023. The brothers spent months planning their plot. They exploited a vulnerability in the MEV-boost software - which is used by most Ethereum network validators, manipulating the way transactions are managed and validated on the Ethereum platform.

After stealing $25 million, the two brothers laundered and hid this digital money.

James Peraire-Bueno was arrested in New York, while Anton Peraire-Bueno was arrested in Boston. The two brothers were charged with telecommunication fraud and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors in the district of Manhattan (New York) confirmed that this was a completely new and extremely sophisticated theft. This is also the first time this action has been criminally charged in the US.

The incident calls into question the integrity of Ethereum, and suggests the need for strict security measures to combat mining and fraud in the digital currency sector.

Kareem Winters

Update 17 May 2024