Binance has reopened withdrawals, starting with bitcoin. (Romain Doucelin/NurPhoto/picture alliance)
The world's largest crypto exchange let customers take money out again on Sunday, three days after hackers stole about $6.3 billion. It started with bitcoin.
Binance reopened withdrawals for bitcoin and 15 other blockchains, including ether, Tether's USDT and its own BNB token, according to CoinDesk. Other coins will follow once each network passes security checks.
"Restoring access to user funds is a priority, and we are taking a controlled approach to do so safely," a Binance spokesperson said.
Who's paying
Binance says it has now replaced about 95% of the stolen assets with its own money, including its emergency user-protection fund. That's up from 90% a day earlier.
The last 5% is smaller, harder-to-trade tokens that it is still buying on the market. Binance says users won't bear any of the loss.
The money that got away
About $3 billion of the stolen funds has been frozen, mostly stablecoins whose issuers can block them. Bitcoin and ether can't be frozen the same way.
Blockchain analysts blame TraderTraitor, a North Korean hacking unit. At more than four times the previous record, it is the biggest crypto heist ever.
The Saudi angle
Saudi traders locked out since Thursday can reach their money again. But they still have no local regulator to turn to if something goes wrong. Crypto isn't recognised in the kingdom.
Bitcoin traded around $77,900 on Sunday, up from Friday's six-week low.
What to watch
Whether the exchange publishes the full proof-of-reserves report it has promised, showing that it holds every coin it owes customers.
