Garden Finance attackers moved 501 BNB and 1,910 ETH to Tornado Cash, following a $10.8 million exploit. The transfer to this protocol aids in obscuring fund origins, a common practice after major crypto heists.
Exploit Details and Fund Movement
The transfer underscores the ongoing susceptibility of DeFi projects to such exploits, raising concerns over security and trust. The move to Tornado Cash may impede tracking efforts, following a common laundering pattern in the crypto landscape.
Garden Finance experienced a breach affecting 501 BNB and 1,910 ETH. These assets, valued at $6.65 million, were transferred to Tornado Cash after an October 31 attack. The perpetrators behind the breach remain unidentified, with no official statements from Garden Finance's leadership.
The assets moved include BNB and ETH, primarily laundering targets in hacks similar to those of Harmony Bridge and Nomad. The Garden Finance case repeats this pattern. The attack depleted Garden Finance's total value locked, reflecting a deep financial impact.
Tornado Cash and Regulatory Scrutiny
"Tornado Cash breaks the line of traceability between crypto transactions... it’s also popular among cybercriminals, who have previously used the protocol to launder stolen crypto." — Judge Katherine Polk Failla, U.S. District Court
The incident poses potential repercussions for the decentralized finance sector. Concerns center on asset traceability and project sustainability. Regulatory challenges persist, despite Tornado Cash's delisting from U.S. sanctions in March 2025. Crypto laundering protocols remain under scrutiny, highlighting an ongoing security risk.
Regarding broader implications, the financial and technological infrastructure could see enhancements to prevent future breaches. Increased vigilance and upgraded security measures may become imperative for the industry to safeguard assets and maintain investor confidence.