GM, this is The Crypto Explorer. Let's face it, trying to keep up with crypto is like catching a greased-up pig.

Let’s do the chasing for you!

Here’s what we got for you today:

• 🧑‍💻 Bribing hackers seems to work: 3 hacks returned in 3 months

• ✂️ Solana reveals cost-cutting solution for On-chain storage

• 🧱 Around the block: Mt. Gox repayment deadline

🧑‍💻 Bribing Hackers Seems to Work: 3 Hacks Returned in 3 Months

Several DeFi protocols that suffered attacks in the past year have recovered some of their stolen funds, partly due to negotiated bounty offers with the hackers.

Euler Finance, which was exploited for almost $200m, had 100% of its recoverable funds returned.

The return represents one of the largest recoveries of stolen assets in blockchain history.

Other protocols like Sentiment and Allbridge also managed to recover a significant portion of their stolen funds, proving that even hackers have a heart (sometimes 😀).

Experts seem to think it's got more to do with "self-preservation” than anything else.

Some say:

• The hackers often get to keep a portion of the stolen funds when they willingly return the money, so it's a win-win right? 🤷‍♂️
  

• Some hackers don't want to live the rest of their life looking over their shoulders, so they give in.

Let's face it, it's one thing to steal money, it's another thing to get away with it.

That second bit is pretty difficult to accomplish on the blockchain.

So it’s good to see we have some kind of measure to combat these sneaky hackers.

✂️ Solana Reveals Cost-Cutting Solution for On-chain Storage

Solana has just launched a new solution that reduces the cost of on-chain storage.

That means you can now mint 1 million NFTs on the Solana network for just around $110! 

That's right, you read that correctly - $110! 🤯

It's like when you're trying to pack your suitcase for vacation and you have to compress your clothes to fit them all in - only this time, it's data.

The solution was built by developers at Solana Labs and Metaplex, with support from Phantom, Solflare, and RPC node providers.

I guess it’s true when they say teamwork makes the dream work. 😁

 🧱 Around The Block: Mt. Gox Repayment Deadline

• 🤢 Do Kwon in serious trouble: Do Kwon converted illicit funds from LUNA to Bitcoin: S.Korean prosecutors

• 💸 Mt. Gox repayment deadline: Mt. Gox repayment registrations close: Here’s what’s next

• 🤦‍♂️ ZkSync saga: zkSync, has confirmed that 921Eth worth $1.7 million is currently stuck in one of its new smart contracts

• 🤝 Web3 Collab: Aragon and Polygon Labs collaborate to boost DAO accessibility

That's all we have for today.

We'd love your feedback.

In any case, see you tomorrow, or on Twitter, if you're there: @danielakpobare

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell assets or make financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.