From Crisis to Comeback: How Euler Labs Survived a $200M Hack to Thrive in DeFi | Michael Bentley
From Crisis to Comeback: How Euler Labs Survived a $200M Hack to Thrive in DeFi | Michael Bentley  
Podcast: The Defiant
Published On: Tue Jul 15 2025
Description: In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Michael Bentley, co-founder and CEO of Euler Labs, to explore one of the most remarkable comeback stories in DeFi history. From a devastating $200M exploit in 2023 to surpassing $1B in outstanding loans, Euler Labs has redefined resilience and innovation in the crypto space.Michael shares the emotional and technical challenges of navigating the exploit, the process of recovering funds, and the lessons learned along the way. We also dive into the evolution of Euler Labs, the launch of V2, and their groundbreaking innovations in DeFi lending, borrowing, and stablecoins.Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, a DeFi builder, or just love a good comeback story, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the future of decentralized finance.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:27 - Meet Michael Bentley: CEO of Euler Labs02:03 - The Early Days: From PhD to Crypto04:02 - Founding Euler Labs: Hackathon Beginnings08:10 - Innovations in DeFi Lending13:00 - The 2023 Exploit: What Happened?20:33 - Recovering $200M: Negotiating with the Hacker33:04 - Picking Up the Pieces: Team Resilience36:41 - Launching V2: A New Chapter42:29 - Differentiating Euler Labs in DeFi45:24 - The Future of DeFi: Institutional Adoption50:43 - Lessons for Founders: Resilience and Security52:24 - Closing Thoughts: The Hard Things Are Worth It