In a significant victory against cybercrime, Norwegian authorities have successfully retrieved and returned nearly $6 million in stolen cryptocurrency linked to the infamous $620 million hack of the popular online game Axie Infinity in 2022.

The breakthrough was revealed in a post on X by Sky Mavis, the blockchain firm responsible for Axie Infinity. According to the announcement, the National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) spearheaded the effort, in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and blockchain forensic experts Chainalysis.

Approximately 15% of the recovered funds will be earmarked to cover the expenses incurred during the meticulous recovery process, while the remaining 85% will find its way into the Axie Infinity treasury, benefiting the game's community and ecosystem.

Expressing gratitude for the tireless efforts of all parties involved, Sky Mavis extended heartfelt appreciation to Økokrim, the FBI, and others for their unwavering dedication in tracking down and repatriating the stolen assets.

In addition to the $5.7 million recovery, Sky Mavis disclosed that another $40 million worth of cryptocurrency funds have been frozen. However, details regarding this separate pool of assets remain scarce, with the firm indicating that the process of recovery and return may take some time.

The hack in question targeted Axie Infinity's cross-chain bridge, which serves as a crucial link between the Ronin sidechain and the Ethereum blockchain. Allegedly orchestrated by hackers with ties to North Korea, the breach exploited vulnerabilities in the bridge's infrastructure. Subsequent investigations revealed a sophisticated scheme involving the infiltration of Ronin's systems through the deployment of malicious code disguised within a fake job application.

The successful recovery of stolen assets represents a significant milestone in the fight against cybercrime and underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, blockchain experts, and technology firms in combating digital threats. As the Axie and Ronin communities breathe a collective sigh of relief, the pursuit of justice in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity remains an ongoing endeavor.