Crypto Exploits Surge: Over $329 Million Stolen in September
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Cybersecurity firm CertiK has reported a significant surge in digital asset theft through code exploits during the month of September. Hackers managed to pilfer over $329.8 million worth of cryptocurrencies through malicious code injections, accounting for a staggering 98% of all crypto thefts for the month.
The most alarming incident of crypto exploits was a $200 million crypto exploit on Mixin Network, a cross-chain protocol supporting multiple blockchains. Exploiting a vulnerability in the network’s code, hackers swiftly transferred funds from the platform’s hot wallet into their own accounts. In a bid to recover user funds, Mixin Network has offered a bug bounty reward to the culprits, urging them to return the remaining stolen assets.
Another major breach targeted Coinex Global, a cryptocurrency exchange, resulting in a loss of $54 million in digital assets. The assailants managed to compromise the platform’s hot wallets, gaining access to private keys and subsequently transferring funds to external addresses. Coinex Global has reacted by suspending its services and initiating a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Exit Scams and Flash Loans Register Lower Losses
In contrast, the crypto community faced comparatively lower losses in September, with exit scams and flash loan attacks amounting to less than $2.4 million.
Exit scams involve fraudulent operators disappearing with users’ funds, while flash loan attacks employ intricate maneuvers, allowing hackers to borrow substantial sums of cryptocurrencies and exploit market price fluctuations for arbitrage profits.
Cumulative Crypto Exploits Exceed $1.3 Billion in 2023
The CertiK report underscores a growing threat to the crypto industry’s security and integrity. Cumulative losses from crypto platform breaches since the start of 2023 have now surpassed a staggering $1.3 billion. This alarming trend emphasizes the critical need for crypto users and developers to adopt stringent security practices, fortify their defenses, and safeguard both their platforms and assets against malicious actors.
