Aave fights court order freezing $73M ETH linked to April hack, aiming to release funds to victims.

Aave has filed an urgent motion in New York to overturn a restraining order freezing about $73 million in Ether recovered after a major April 18 hack on the Kelp DAO platform. The freeze was requested by Gerstein Harrow LLP, representing clients with judgments against North Korea, alleging the stolen funds are linked to North Korean hackers. Aave argues the assets belong to the victims, not the alleged criminals, and warns the freeze threatens the broader DeFi recovery effort, which has gathered over $327 million for restitution. The court has yet to decide, and Aave demands a $300 million bond if the freeze continues.