CETUS DEX Returns After Major Exploit, Faces Mixed Reaction from Users

Decentralized exchange CETUS, operating on the Sui and Aptos networks, has reopened following a $162 million exploit that forced a month-long shutdown.

A $30 million loan from the Sui Foundation and partial fund recovery enabled the relaunch.

Trading has resumed, and CETUS launched a reimbursement program. Some users reported recovering most of their funds, while others pointed to missing balances and unresolved issues, sparking new complaints.

Fund recovery was partly achieved by freezing the hacker’s wallet via Sui validators—an action that sparked debate over the protocol’s decentralization, as critics questioned the influence of high-voting-power validators.

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CETUS claims it has patched vulnerabilities, rebalanced pools, and started new audits ahead of its return. To support affected users, the team has allocated 15% of its total CETUS token supply, including unvested team tokens, for compensation.

Despite technical fixes, some users still report withdrawal problems. Yet, CETUS has already re-entered the top 10 DEX rankings by volume, though much of the activity likely stems from users reclaiming locked funds rather than renewed investor confidence.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.