Sui blockchain security upgrade is now underway following a major exploit on the Cetus Protocol that shook investor trust.
Although the vulnerability was in a custom library used by Cetus and not the core Sui blockchain, the consequences were widespread. A total of $223 million was drained on May 22. Of that, Sui validators managed to freeze $162 million in assets. Around $60 million was unfortunately bridged to Ethereum before action could be taken.
Sui has responded by announcing a $10 million security initiative. The funds are aimed at improving decentralized application (dApp) safety through audits, bug bounties, formal verification tools, and deeper collaboration with developers. The platform’s new posture is about shared responsibility, not just protocol-level defense.
$223M exploit leads to proactive platform-wide response
The exploit targeted an Automated Market Maker (AMM) function in Cetus Protocol. Attackers used an arithmetic overflow bug to manipulate liquidity pools. While the bug didn’t originate from the Sui blockchain itself, it created ripple effects. The platform’s total value locked (TVL) fell from $2.1 billion to $1.5 billion, and its native SUI token dropped by nearly 10%.
Sui recognizes that user trust is tied to the network’s entire ecosystem—not just its underlying code. That’s why the blockchain is investing heavily in third-party safety.
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Sui blockchain security upgrade to fund audits, tools, and education
This Sui blockchain security upgrade isn’t just a public relations move. It’s a multifaceted effort to support the ecosystem. Plans include funding verified open-source libraries, improving education around secure smart contract development, and creating formal bug bounty programs to catch vulnerabilities before attackers do.
The foundation is also working closely with the developer community to decide where and how the $10 million will be deployed. The goal is a more proactive and decentralized model of ecosystem security.
Governance issues emerge as on-chain vote sparks debate
In a controversial move, Sui proposed an on-chain vote to decide the fate of the frozen assets. While the foundation promised to remain neutral, critics argued that the vote highlighted governance flaws. Some compared it to Ethereum’s DAO reversal in 2016, reviving concerns about blockchain immutability and validator power.
Still, the decision to engage the community directly reflects Sui’s aim for transparency—even if it means navigating difficult debates.