Imagine being 22 years old and having $65 million at your fingertips. Sounds like a dream come true, right? But for Andean “Andy” Medjedovic, that fortune came at a steep price: being on the run from the law.

Meet Andean “Andy” Medjedovic, the 22-year-old Canadian mastermind behind two massive DeFi hacks. With $65 million in stolen crypto, he’s now facing up to 90 years in prison.

From Teen Hacker to Mastermind

Medjedovic’s journey into the world of DeFi hacking began when he was just a teenager. In 2021, he exploited Indexed Finance, making off with $16 million. What’s remarkable is that he didn’t try to hide his identity; instead, he publicly admitted to the hack, claiming he didn’t think he was doing anything illegal.

This “code is law” mentality is a common thread among some DeFi hackers. Avraham “Avi” Eisenberg, another notorious hacker, took a similar stance after his 2022 Mango Markets exploit, which netted him $110 million. However, a New York jury disagreed, finding Eisenberg guilty of fraud and market manipulation.

The KyberSwap Hack: A $50 Million Heist

Fast-forward to 2023, and Medjedovic was at it again. This time, he targeted KyberSwap, making off with a staggering $50 million. According to the indictment, Medjedovic planned the hack for months, even writing a “POST-EXPLOITATION” plan for himself.

The source revealed that Medjedovic’s laptop contained files with musings on his past mistakes and the risks of getting caught. It seems he was aware of the risks, but the potential payoff was too great to resist.

On the Run and Facing 90 Years in Prison

Medjedovic has been on the run since December 2021, when a Canadian court issued a warrant for his arrest. Despite claiming to have turned over a new leaf as a whitehat hacker, he continued to engage in illicit activities.

The source indicated that Medjedovic remains “at large” and is not believed to be in the U.S. He faces a maximum penalty of 90 years in prison, charged with wire fraud, unauthorized damage to a protected computer, attempted Hobbs Act extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering.

As the crypto world continues to evolve, it’s clear that law enforcement is cracking down on DeFi hackers. Medjedovic’s story serves as a cautionary tale: the allure of easy money may be tempting, but the consequences can be severe.

Crypto’s Most Wanted: The 22-Year-Old Behind $65 Million in DeFi Hacks

Source: Policy | Coindesk.com

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