A hacker returned after two years of inactivity and deposited $5.4M in stolen funds into Tornado Cash after swapping DAI for ETH.
An attacker linked to a previous theft has resumed onchain activity after nearly two years of dormancy.
Blockchain data shows stolen funds are now being deposited into Tornado Cash, with movements accelerating over recent days.
Dormant Theft Address Becomes Active Again
The theft address, identified as 0xFe7e039cC5034436C534d5E21A8619A574e206F8, showed no notable activity for almost two years.
This period of inactivity ended when funds began moving again onchain.
Blockchain records indicate the address transferred assets without warning. Observers noted the timing suggested a planned return rather than random movement.
The renewed activity drew attention due to the size of the funds involved. The address had previously been linked to stolen assets.
Funds Shifted From DAI to ETH
According to Specter, before interacting with Tornado Cash, the theft address moved about $5.8 million in DAI.
The transfer went to a newly created wallet. The fresh wallet then swapped the DAI for ETH, changing the asset type before further movement.
The attacker has resumed activity after nearly two years of dormancy and is now depositing stolen funds into Tornado Cash.
A total of $5.4M has been deposited so far.
Prior to this, the theft address transferred $5.8M DAI to a fresh wallet, which was subsequently swapped for… https://t.co/6hZWByeuRQ pic.twitter.com/67vx2CLk6U
— Specter (@SpecterAnalyst) January 26, 2026
Such swaps are often used to prepare funds for privacy tools. ETH is commonly used for Tornado Cash deposits.
After the swap, the ETH balance was broken into smaller portions. These portions were then sent to Tornado Cash contracts.
$5.4M Deposited Into Tornado Cash
Blockchain data shows that about $5.4 million has been deposited into Tornado Cash so far. The deposits followed a clear and repeated pattern.
The attacker sent 100 ETH in twenty separate transactions. Additional deposits included three transfers of 10 ETH.
Smaller deposits were also made. These included eight transfers of 1 ETH and nine transfers of 0.1 ETH.
This pattern is consistent with prior Tornado Cash usage. Such behavior is often meant to blend deposits with others.
The deposits occurred over multiple transactions instead of one large transfer. This approach can complicate transaction analysis.
Related Reading: Hacker Who Stole $282 million Last Week, Launders $63M Via Tornado Cash: CertiK
Onchain Tracking and Current Status
Despite the use of Tornado Cash, parts of the transaction trail remain visible. Analysts can still track deposits and timing patterns.
No withdrawal transactions linked to the attacker have been confirmed yet. The funds remain inside Tornado Cash pools.
The activity suggests a careful and delayed strategy. The long dormancy may have been intended to reduce attention.
Security observers continue to monitor related addresses. Any future withdrawals could reveal additional links.
The case adds to recent examples of delayed fund movements. It shows how stolen assets can resurface years later.
As of now, $5.4 million has been deposited. Further movements may follow if the attacker continues the activity.
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