I heard that the campaign participants are responsible with the losses /jk.
Only someone that does not think will say something like this. Anyone can be responsible for the loss. It can even be an insider's work. Where did you read this from?
But, it looks weird if the hackers sent the coins to HitBTC, it was an old exchange and had many scam accusations. I think the hackers did that with an intention.
During exchange or other hack, I also think the hackers will intentionally send the coins to exchanges. Mist of the coins will make likely be recovered as usual. Unlike when the coins are sent to a noncustodial wallet.
4 million is certainly a big number for a casino, did they get the money back?
The hackers don't seem to be very smart because they sent the funds to a CEX so they could be traced quickly.
Not that the hackers can be traced quickly, but the money can be recovered quickly. The hacker may use fake identity for verification. The last time I used HitBTC which was like 3 years ago before I left it because if because of how theya re seizing coins and forcing people to KYC, I was able to use it without KYC. Maybe some people can bypass KYC on the exchange till now.
No news yet that the coin has been recovered but it will legit be recovered.