Orbit Chain Loses $81M in Cross-Chain Bridge Exploit

The hacked funds remain "unmoved" according to Orbit Chain.

AccessTimeIconJan 2, 2024 at 12:39 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 8, 2024 at 7:17 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Orbit Chain, a platform that communicates and transacts with various blockchains, has lost $81 million after hackers exploited the platform's cross-chain bridge.

The project confirmed the hack in a post on X, saying a hacker funded a wallet using sanctioned privacy protocol Tornado Cash before attacking Orbit Chain's ethereum (ETH) vault. Proceeds of the hack were then sent to numerous Ethereum wallets. These wallets currently hold 26,741.6 ETH ($64 million) and around $18 million of the dai (DAI) stablecoin.

  • Why USDT Dominates Supply With Lower Transaction Volume
    01:11
    Why USDT Dominates Supply With Lower Transaction Volume
  • ARK Sells Last of Its ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF Shares; Consensys Files Lawsuit Against the SEC
    02:03
    ARK Sells Last of Its ProShares Bitcoin Futures ETF Shares; Consensys Files Lawsuit Against the SEC
  • Bitcoin Was 'Much More International,' Kara Swisher Says
    01:15
    Bitcoin Was 'Much More International,' Kara Swisher Says
  • Morgan Stanley May Allow Brokers to Pitch Bitcoin ETFs; 'Buy Bitcoin' Sign Auctioned for Over $1M
    01:55
    Morgan Stanley May Allow Brokers to Pitch Bitcoin ETFs; 'Buy Bitcoin' Sign Auctioned for Over $1M
  • Orbit Chain added that the funds are "unmoved."

    DefiLlama data shows that total value locked (TVL) on Orbit Chain dropped from $152 million to $71 million, with net outflows equalling $81.88 million.

    The platform's native token [ORC] slumped by more than 13% after the exploit. It has since recovered back to a $36 million market cap, according to CoinMarketCap.

    Cryptocurrency users lost nearly $2 billion to scams, rug pulls and hacks in 2023, researchers at security app De.Fi said in their annual report. While that's roughly half the amount of 2022, it's a sign that the industry remains susceptible to security risks,

    Metamask developer Taylor Monahan said the Orbit attack follows similar patterns to hacks carried out by North Korean hackers Lazarus Group, which has stolen $3 billion through hacks and exploits over the past six years, according to cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.

    Edited by Sheldon Reback.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Oliver Knight

    Oliver Knight is a CoinDesk reporter based between London and Lisbon. He does not own any crypto.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.