In the world of DeFi, even attackers are not immune to algorithmic attacks by others. A recent incident on the Base network served as a stark reminder that carelessness with transaction details can cost more than the theft itself.
I traced the chain of events that began with the withdrawal of approximately 500,000 USDC from someone else's wallet. The criminal was clearly acting quickly, but not professionally enough. When attempting to convert the stolen stablecoins through a decentralized exchange, he made a critical mistake—he did not set an acceptable slippage level.
This blunder was instantly detected by a MEV bot specializing in sandwich attacks. The algorithm surrounded the hacker's transaction with its own orders, artificially lowering the asset's price at the moment of execution. As a result, the attacker lost about $371,000 of the stolen amount—more than 74% of the total volume.
The final outcome was disastrous for the thief: he managed to keep only about $129,000. This is a classic example of how DeFi protection mechanisms, designed for honest traders, also work against criminals if they neglect basic security settings.
Analytical Commentary
This case is not just a curiosity, but an important signal for all market participants. MEV bots operate ruthlessly and quickly, and anyone who does not check transaction parameters can become their victim. For the hacker, it is an irony of fate, but for ordinary users, it is a harsh warning: always set slippage limits, even if you are confident in your own invulnerability. In the blockchain world, there is no room for haste, and the price of a mistake is measured in real money.