iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
ZachXBT says he posed as a client and put up $349,700 in USDC to investigate people he believed were laundering funds linked to the February 2025 Bybit hack. Reports say his tracing helped identify a cluster of more than $12 million in suspected Bybit proceeds and was followed by a 442,000 USDT freeze. Those claims about the intermediaries and their scale remain attributed to ZachXBT; separately, the FBI officially attributed the Bybit theft to North Korea.
How ZachXBT says he gained access
According to The Block and Decrypt, ZachXBT began investigating after he saw more than 15 accounts in public Telegram and Discord groups seeking help with orders involving funds stolen in the Bybit exploit. He then posed as a customer to build contact with an operator using the pseudonym “Jimmy Green.”
Decrypt reports that on March 6, 2025, ZachXBT funded a new Ethereum address with $349,700 in USDC and completed several transactions to build trust. In March, Jimmy reportedly provided an address for exchanging USDC for USDT on Tron. ZachXBT said the address had been funded for gas by a wallet directly traceable to Bybit exploit funds and listed on Bybit’s public exploit blacklist.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The money was an investigative stake, not a recovery: ZachXBT said he accepted a loss of about 5% on each order and had no guarantee the operator would not disappear with the funds. Decrypt reproduced his description of the financial and personal risk; the account is his, as reported on October 5, 2026.
#1 Best Overall
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
- Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
- Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
- Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.
What he says the transactions revealed
A bridge transaction and a cross-chain cluster
ZachXBT reportedly matched a bridge screenshot Jimmy sent on March 12 to a THORChain order created within minutes, using the timing and amounts. He also said three Solana addresses supplied by Jimmy helped him identify a cluster of more than $12 million in Bybit exploit funds moving across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and Tron.
Reported token freeze and other checks
The Block and Decrypt report that Tether later froze 442,000 USDT associated with the cluster. A separate BlockSec tracker entry records a USDT freeze event on March 14, 2025 for one displayed Ethereum address; that address-level entry does not, by itself, establish the full cluster total or independently verify the broader account.
Rank #2
- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide (4.9 App Store, 4.8 Google Play) - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
As further checks, ZachXBT reportedly said Jimmy’s reference to roughly $300,000 frozen in 2024 matched 332,000 USDC from the Poloniex exploit, and that a claimed $3 million in fraud proceeds traced to a Huione Guarantee hot wallet. These links are details from ZachXBT’s account as reported by The Block and Decrypt, not independent findings about Jimmy’s identity.
What is officially established about the Bybit theft
In a February 26, 2025 public service announcement, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) said North Korea was responsible for stealing approximately $1.5 billion in virtual assets from Bybit on or about February 21, 2025. The FBI referred to the activity as “TraderTraitor” and said the actors had converted some assets to Bitcoin and other virtual assets, dispersing them across thousands of addresses on multiple blockchains.
Rank #3
- Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
- Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
That announcement supports the FBI’s attribution of the theft to North Korea. It does not confirm the identity, structure or alleged laundering volume of the Chinese intermediary network described by ZachXBT, nor does it validate each detail of his infiltration account. The Block reports that ZachXBT said he shared findings with law enforcement and delayed publishing because the investigation was sensitive. The reporting available here does not provide a public case number, an official law-enforcement confirmation of the specific alleged network, or a court finding about its members.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the scale claims
The Block and Cointelegraph report ZachXBT’s allegation that the network laundered more than $1 billion across multiple exploits. That figure is an allegation attributed to him, not an independently verified accounting or a judicial finding. Likewise, the reported $12 million-plus Bybit-linked cluster and 442,000 USDT freeze describe different things: the former is a traced cluster he said he identified, while the latter is a reported enforcement action involving some associated funds.
Rank #4
- EAL5+ CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT + FINGERPRINT PROTECTION — Your private keys stay encrypted offline on a certified EAL5+ chip, the same security tier used in EMV bank cards. Built by DCENT, securing crypto since 2018. Fingerprint authentication adds a second layer no PIN-only wallet can match.
- 10,000+ ASSETS NATIVE ON 100+ BLOCKCHAINS — Hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, popular stablecoins (USDT, USDC), and NFTs in one wallet. No third-party apps, no fragmented setup — every supported asset works straight out of the box.
- TAP-TO-SIGN MOBILE EXPERIENCE — Pair your wallet with the DCENT mobile app over Bluetooth. Manage tokens, review transactions, and access in-app swap features directly from your phone — no cables, no desktop required.
- WEB3 & dAPP ACCESS VIA METAMASK — Connect to MetaMask and other browser extension wallets to manage NFTs, claim airdrops, and access dApps. A large screen and intuitive 4-button interface keep every transaction clearly visible before you sign.
- SEAMLESS FIRMWARE UPDATES & 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE — Apply security updates without resetting your wallet or migrating funds. Backed by Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee — your purchase is risk-free.
Decrypt also reproduced ZachXBT’s statement that he had helped action freezes totaling $75 million since 2022 in DPRK-related incidents. That is a claim about his broader work, not a figure establishing funds recovered in this particular investigation.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
- Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
- See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
- Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
- Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.
Sources and attribution
- The Block’s report on the chronology, alleged network and tracing claims.
- Decrypt’s report, which reproduces first-person statements from ZachXBT.
- The FBI/IC3 February 26, 2025 announcement attributing the Bybit theft to North Korea’s TraderTraitor.
- BlockSec’s tracker, which displays an address-level USDT freeze event.
- Cointelegraph’s additional reporting on the alleged network and laundering-volume claim.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
