BlockNews
FOLLOW ON X
  • BITCOIN
  • CRYPTO
    • ETHEREUM
    • RIPPLE XRP
    • SOLANA
    • CARDANO
    • BINANCE BNB
    • DOGECOIN
    • TRON
    • SUI
    • CHAINLINK
    • LITECOIN
  • FINANCE
  • POLITICS
  • MEMECOINS
  • NFT
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
BlockNews
  • BITCOIN
  • CRYPTO
    • ETHEREUM
    • RIPPLE XRP
    • SOLANA
    • CARDANO
    • BINANCE BNB
    • DOGECOIN
    • TRON
    • SUI
    • CHAINLINK
    • LITECOIN
  • FINANCE
  • POLITICS
  • MEMECOINS
  • NFT
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
BlockNews
Home CRYPTO

DOJ Arrests Brothers for $25 Million Crypto Theft

Michael Juanico by Michael Juanico
May 15, 2024
in CRYPTO
Reading Time: 3 mins read
2
SHARES
34
VIEWS
Share on XShare in TelegramShare on Reddit
  • Two brothers, Anton and James Pepaire-Bueno, were arrested and charged with allegedly using a maximal extractable value (MEV) exploit to steal $25 million worth of cryptocurrency from the Ethereum blockchain in just 12 seconds.
  • The brothers were accused of gaining access to pending transactions on Ethereum’s network, altering the movement of the cryptocurrency, and stealing funds from victims through a complex scheme involving bots and shell companies.
  • The Department of Justice claimed the brothers’ actions called into question the integrity of the Ethereum blockchain and represented a first-of-its-kind manipulation of the network.

The United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it has arrested Anton and James Pepaire-Bueno and charged them with actions the government said allowed them to swipe $25 million worth of cryptocurrency via the Ethereum blockchain in just 12 seconds.

NEW: 🇺🇸 DOJ arrested two brothers for allegedly using a MEV exploit to steal $25 million in crypto in 12 seconds

— BlockNews.com (@blocknewsdotcom) May 15, 2024

Background on MEV Exploits

MEV is a term in the crypto sphere used to refer to the amount of value that can be extracted from a block production. Blocks make up a blockchain and contain data on transactions.

The DOJ alleged that via the complex scheme, the brothers were able to use bots to identify arbitrage opportunities, preview transactions before they were processed on the network, and essentially copy and make false transactions so they could pocket funds. The brothers allegedly targeted traders using MEV bots, exploiting a vulnerability in the MEV-Boost relay code to get a jump on incoming transactions.

Though they allegedly planned the attack for months, the actual heist took just 12 seconds, the DOJ claimed. Authorities added that the two brothers had experience trading cryptocurrencies and allegedly set up shell companies and used multiple private crypto addresses and foreign cryptocurrency exchanges to cover their tracks.

Details on the Alleged Theft

The DOJ alleged that the two brothers—educated at one of the most prestigious universities in the world in math and computer science—were able to get access to pending transactions on Ethereum’s network and steal funds.

“These brothers allegedly committed a first-of-its-kind manipulation of the Ethereum blockchain by fraudulently gaining access to pending transactions, altering the movement of the electronic currency, and ultimately stealing $25 million in cryptocurrency from their victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) New York Field Office, in a statement.

US Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York added: “As we allege, the defendants’ scheme calls the very integrity of the blockchain into question.”

Impact on Ethereum

Ethereum is the blockchain behind the second biggest cryptocurrency by market cap, ETH. The network is used for everything from sending funds and minting and trading NFTs to building lending and borrowing apps.

The DOJ charged that the two brother’s alleged scheme undermines trust in the Ethereum blockchain.

“Though they allegedly planned the attack for months, the actual heist took just 12 seconds,” the DOJ claimed.

Conclusion

The two brothers from Boston and New York have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Authorities allege they stole $25 million worth of cryptocurrency from Ethereum users via an MEV exploit.

Disclaimer: BlockNews provides independent reporting on crypto, blockchain, and digital finance. All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should do their own research before making investment decisions. Some articles may use AI tools to assist in drafting, but every piece is reviewed and edited by our editorial team of experienced crypto writers and analysts before publication.
Tags: Anton Pepaire-BuenoBlockchainethereumJames Pepaire-BuenoUnited States Department of Justice
Tweet1ShareShare
Michael Juanico

Michael Juanico

Michael is a BSBA Management graduate from Mindanao State University and has been a professional content writer since 2019. He began exploring cryptocurrency in 2021 and has since made blockchain and digital assets his primary focus. For nearly four years, Michael has contributed research and editorial content at Aiur Labs and BlockNews, producing clear and accessible coverage of market trends, trading strategies, and project developments. He is transparent about his personal holdings in Bitcoin, TRON, and select meme tokens, combining writing expertise with hands-on market experience to deliver trustworthy insights to readers.

DON'T MISS THESE! HOT OFF THE PRESS

PayPal Stablecoin Expansion: PYUSD Hits 9 New Blockchains With LayerZero – Here’s What You Need to Know
CRYPTO

PayPal Stablecoin Expansion: PYUSD Hits 9 New Blockchains With LayerZero – Here’s What You Need to Know

September 18, 2025
Chainlink Price Prediction: Can LINK Break $25 Resistance and Soar Toward $40?
CHAINLINK

Chainlink Price Prediction: Can LINK Break $25 Resistance and Soar Toward $40?

September 18, 2025
Why Worldcoin Could be the Biggest Sleeper Pick of the 2025 Crypto Bull Run
CRYPTO

Why Worldcoin Could be the Biggest Sleeper Pick of the 2025 Crypto Bull Run

September 18, 2025
What is Filecoin? A Full Review of FIL and its Huge Potential in 2025
CRYPTO

What is Filecoin? A Full Review of FIL and its Huge Potential in 2025

September 18, 2025
What Happened in Crypto Today? – September 18: Huge Altcoin News Going Into Q4
CHAINLINK

What Happened in Crypto Today? – September 18: Huge Altcoin News Going Into Q4

September 18, 2025
What Every Crypto Beginner Needs to Know Before Buying Their First Bitcoin
CRYPTO

What Every Crypto Beginner Needs to Know Before Buying Their First Bitcoin

September 18, 2025
Load More

Related News

PayPal Stablecoin Expansion: PYUSD Hits 9 New Blockchains With LayerZero – Here’s What You Need to Know

PayPal Stablecoin Expansion: PYUSD Hits 9 New Blockchains With LayerZero – Here’s What You Need to Know

September 18, 2025
Chainlink Price Prediction: Can LINK Break $25 Resistance and Soar Toward $40?

Chainlink Price Prediction: Can LINK Break $25 Resistance and Soar Toward $40?

September 18, 2025
Why Worldcoin Could be the Biggest Sleeper Pick of the 2025 Crypto Bull Run

Why Worldcoin Could be the Biggest Sleeper Pick of the 2025 Crypto Bull Run

September 18, 2025
What is Filecoin? A Full Review of FIL and its Huge Potential in 2025

What is Filecoin? A Full Review of FIL and its Huge Potential in 2025

September 18, 2025
What Happened in Crypto Today? – September 18: Huge Altcoin News Going Into Q4

What Happened in Crypto Today? – September 18: Huge Altcoin News Going Into Q4

September 18, 2025
Twitter Telegram Threads

BLOCKNEWS.COM

BlockNews is your premier source for real-time cryptocurrency, blockchain, political and financial market news.

Stay ahead of the herd with BlockNews

RESOURCES

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policies
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

DISCLOSURES AND POLICIES

BlockNews provides independent reporting on crypto, blockchain, and digital finance. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sponsored material is always disclosed. By using this site, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

© 2025 BlockNews

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • BITCOIN
  • CRYPTO
    • ETHEREUM
    • RIPPLE XRP
    • SOLANA
    • CARDANO
    • BINANCE BNB
    • DOGECOIN
    • TRON
    • LITECOIN
    • CHAINLINK
    • SUI
  • MEMECOINS
  • POLITICS
  • FINANCE
  • NFT
  • DEFI
  • GUIDES

© 2025 BlockNews