Ethereum validators pocket $30 million windfall as Binance hackers lose $119 million in rushed trades
What happened
Bitquery estimates about 11,217 ETH reached proposing validators while builders retained about 564 ETH over four and a half hours. ETH 0.80% · 24h Bitquery data reveals how frantic token swaps created a trading frenzy, sending Ethereum block payments soaring more than 2,200-fold.
02 Trading firms captured roughly $60 million in profits as competition drove Ethereum block-builder tips more than 2,200-fold higher. Make CryptoSlate preferred on Share Share Ethereum validators captured the bulk of nearly $30 million in payments generated during the trading frenzy surrounding Binance's $6.3 billion hack.
Ethereum validators capture windfall from arbitrage frenzy Bitquery found that Ethereum block builders received 10,251 ETH in tips between 20:30 UTC. Read the full story on CryptoSlate Understand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next.
1, 2026 2 min read Quick Take 01 Binance hackers lost approximately $119 million in rushed crypto trades, creating a massive windfall for Ethereum validators and arbitrage bots. 03 Not every bot profited, with some losing hundreds of thousands of dollars as fierce competition drove transaction costs above trading gains.
30 investigation by Bitquery, the attackers lost approximately $119 million by exchanging stolen cryptocurrency at unfavorable prices while racing to move funds beyond the reach of stablecoin (a digital token meant to hold a fixed value, usually one dollar) issuers. The hurried transactions created extraordinary arbitrage opportunities, allowing trading firms and automated bots to retain approximately $60 million in profits after costs.
Another $29.5 million flowed to Ethereum block builders and validators as traders competed to exploit price differences created by the attackers' massive transactions. 30, compared with just 4.6 ETH during the equivalent period the previous night.