CoinEx Hack Losses Reach $54 Million, Raising Anxiety Among Crypto Community
In Brief
CoinEx’s $54 million loss across various blockchains shows that even strong systems can be vulnerable.
On September 12, 2023 CoinEx announced an alarming security breach. In an incident that exposed vulnerabilities, hackers exploited hot wallet addresses storing significant assets in Ethereum, Tron, and Polygon. CoinEx swiftly responded to unusual withdrawal activities flagged by their Risk Control System in multiple hot wallet addresses. The company promptly established an investigative team.
While it was clear from the outset that unauthorized transactions occurred involving Ethereum ($ETH), Tron ($TRX), and Polygon ($MATIC), the extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained.
Urgent Notice: Security Incident on CoinEx – Immediate Actions Underway
— CoinEx Global (@coinexcom) September 12, 2023
On September 12, 2023, our Risk Control System detected anomalous withdrawals from several hot wallet addresses used to store CoinEx's exchange assets. Promptly recognizing the gravity of the situation, we…
CoinEx’s Preventive Measures to Rebuild User Trust
In response to a security breach, CoinEx acted promptly to reassure its community regarding the safety of assets. The company emphasized that the breach had only impacted a small fraction of its total assets. To bolster confidence, CoinEx took decisive action by suspending all deposit and withdrawal services temporarily. They committed to conducting a thorough review before resuming these services and also pledged 100% compensation for affected users.
CoinEx’s proactive measures did not end there. The company took an additional step by identifying and publicly disclosing suspicious wallet addresses linked to the hack. These addresses included cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Ripple, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Kadena, Bitcoin Cash, and Dagger. By making this information public, CoinEx called upon the community for assistance in flagging and freezing any further suspicious transactions.
How Big is the Damage?
Recent reports confirm a $54 million financial loss, according to SlowMist’s investigation. This aligns with the sum of individual blockchain losses reported by PeckShieldAlert. Despite the industry’s vast scale, the enduring trust deficit from such breaches poses significant concerns.
The amount stolen from the CoinEx crypto exchange has risen to $54 million, according to SlowMist. CoinEx stated that it has suspended deposits and withdrawals and will fully compensate all users. https://t.co/hkBTQvbDSl pic.twitter.com/626xfOYyyd
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 13, 2023
CoinEx has pledged complete compensation for impacted users. The cryptocurrency community and other platforms are closely monitoring the situation as CoinEx actively addresses the issue and reinforces security measures.
Update: Possible Involvement of North Korean Lazarus Group in CoinEx Hack
Cybersecurity research firm SlowMist has raised the possibility that the recent CoinEx hack could be the work of the North Korean hacker group, Lazarus Group. Specifically, the hacker addresses 0x22…a98d and 0x75…Ac59 are labeled as Stakecom Exploiters on the Binance Smart Chain and Polygon networks, respectively.
There is increasing speculation that the names Alphapo Exploiter, Stakecom Exploiter, and CoinEx Exploiter may all be different guises for this notorious North Korean hacking collective.
🚨SlowMist Security Alert🚨
— SlowMist (@SlowMist_Team) September 13, 2023
1/ @coinexcom Exploiter, @Stake Exploiter and #Alphapo Exploiter may all have ties to the North Korean Hackers known as #LazarusGroup.
Here’s how we came to that conclusion: https://t.co/IGNldb2ZZJ pic.twitter.com/SLGzSgbCis
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About The Author
Nik is an accomplished analyst and writer at Metaverse Post, specializing in delivering cutting-edge insights into the fast-paced world of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI/ML, XR, VR, on-chain analytics, and blockchain development. His articles engage and inform a diverse audience, helping them stay ahead of the technological curve. Possessing a Master's degree in Economics and Management, Nik has a solid grasp of the nuances of the business world and its intersection with emergent technologies.
More articlesNik is an accomplished analyst and writer at Metaverse Post, specializing in delivering cutting-edge insights into the fast-paced world of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI/ML, XR, VR, on-chain analytics, and blockchain development. His articles engage and inform a diverse audience, helping them stay ahead of the technological curve. Possessing a Master's degree in Economics and Management, Nik has a solid grasp of the nuances of the business world and its intersection with emergent technologies.