Cetus Protocol Recovers After Sui DEX Exploit, Resumes Operations

The Cetus Protocol on Sui blockchain resumed operations on June 4, 2025, following a $223 million exploit that targeted its decentralized exchange.

This incident underscores the importance of security and governance in DeFi platforms, highlighting the potential for recovery with community support.

$223 Million Sui DEX Attack Spurs Recovery Efforts

The Cetus Protocol faced an attack on its decentralized exchange, leading to a significant asset loss. Extensive coordination among users, the Sui Foundation, and validators was essential for asset recovery. Cetus Protocol leveraged cash reserves and token treasuries alongside a loan from the Sui Foundation to compensate users. An imminent community vote will determine the return of frozen on-chain assets.

“By utilizing our cash reserves and token treasuries, we are now capable of completely covering the stolen assets that are currently off-chain, contingent on the recovery of the locked funds through the forthcoming community vote. This includes a vital loan from the Sui Foundation, facilitating a full recovery for all impacted users.” – Cetus Protocol, Official Project Channel

Sui Foundation Stabilizes Post-Exploit Crisis

The immediate effects included asset freezes and disruption to user activities. However, the Sui Foundation’s support led to a stabilization effort, reassuring affected users and stakeholders. The exploit sparked discussions on security enhancements in DeFi. Support from validators and governance mechanisms demonstrated a robust crisis response within the community.

Second-Largest Sui DeFi Attack Prompts Industry Shift

Comparatively, this attack is one of the largest in the Sui ecosystem, second only historically. The coordinated response highlights evolving strategies in DeFi crisis management. Historically, such coordinated recovery efforts often result in improved security protocols and governance structures, potentially leading to a more resilient DeFi ecosystem.