A major Ethereum MEV (maximal extractable value) bot has been targeted in an attack, resulting in the loss of almost $20 million. The attack took place within one Ethereum block, with a validator forcing a series of transactions to steal funds the bot had planned to gain by front-running. MEV flashbots use "sandwich attacks" to steal value from users by manipulating the underlying price of the asset. The validator responsible for the attack had funded their wallet from privacy layer Aztec Network more than two weeks ago, suggesting it was a planned attack. The stolen funds are currently held in three wallets, with eight linked addresses originally funded from Kucoin. The attack has the potential to transform the MEV ecosystem, according to former Ethereum Foundation member Hudson Jameson.

(By Oliver Knight)

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