How NEAR Intents Identified a Suspect and Got Its Stolen Funds Back

NEAR Intents recently suffered a $3.8 million exploit due to a complex, asynchronous vulnerability in its multi-chain infrastructure. GM Alex Shevchenko explains how the team identified the attacker through internal logs and public data, leading to a successful recovery of funds. The incident highlights the effectiveness of the "Shield" system, an internal oracle designed to detect and block illicit transactions in real-time by analyzing cross-chain liquidity. Beyond the technical fix, the conversation addresses the tension between decentralization and the necessity of blocking blacklisted funds to preserve the economic value of crypto assets. Shevchenko argues that protecting against illicit actors is essential for the long-term viability of decentralized finance, emphasizing that protocols must establish clear boundaries to prevent becoming conduits for money laundering.