Cetus Protocol Suffers $200 Million Exploit on Sui Blockchain

The Cetus Protocol, the largest decentralized exchange on the Sui blockchain , experienced a significant exploit on May 22, 2025, resulting in over $200 million stolen in one of the year’s largest DeFi hacks.

This incident highlights major vulnerabilities in DeFi platforms, particularly regarding oracles, and underscores the need for improved security measures.

Investigation and Subsequent Actions

The Cetus Protocol, focusing on capital-efficient trading, fell victim to an exploit involving manipulation of their liquidity pools. An investigation attributes the breach to a vulnerability in oracle implementation, leading to substantial financial losses.

The Sui Foundation, partnering with Inca Digital, offers a $5 million bounty to identify the attackers. Changpeng Zhao of Binance has extended his support, signifying the incident’s gravity in the wider crypto community.

“Our team has reached out to help Cetus resolve the situation.” – Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Founder and Former CEO, Binance

Market Reactions and Broader Implications

Immediate effects include a 5.5% drop in SUI token pricing, reflecting shaken investor confidence despite the infrastructure remaining intact. The exploit has led to financial repercussions and a debate on DeFi decentralization.

The Cetus incident ranks as the second-largest DeFi hack in 2025. It highlights vulnerabilities similar to previous incidents where liquidity pool manipulations were prevalent and has intensified discussions on DeFi security frameworks.