Liquid White Hat Returns 3,400 BTC, Still Holds 598.5 BTC

The partial return signals a deliberate, ongoing negotiation rather than a full resolution, with the hacker retaining a meaningful stake that keeps leverage in the exchange's recovery process. The PGP-signed message from Blockstream confirms active dialogue, but the small spend attached to it hints at continued technical maneuvering. This matters for exchange security and user confidence, as the remaining 598.5 BTC represent a material overhang. The open question is whether the dialogue converges on full restitution or whether the residual balance becomes a protracted standoff, which could shape how similar incidents are handled in the future.