Decentralized Exchange Security Breaches in the Crypto Industry

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Velocore, operating on the zkSync and Linea blockchains, have faced a significant security breach resulting in a monetary loss of about $10 million. The breach, involving the transfer of over 700 ETH to the Ethereum mainnet, has once again raised concerns about the security vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency domain.

Initial reports on the breach surfaced through a threat researcher known as 'Officer's Notes,' shedding light on the existing weaknesses within the cryptocurrency sector.

Velocore disclosed that the hackers' primary target was its liquidity provider tokens, vital components critical to the functioning of the exchange. Despite having passed security evaluations by Zokyo, Hacken, and Scalebit, Velocore fell victim to the breach.

Amid the breach, the Linea Blockchain experienced a temporary halt in block production for an hour before normal operations resumed. Notably, Velocore's stable pools remained intact, allowing customers to withdraw their assets.

In response to the breach, Velocore has joined forces with centralized exchanges (CEXs) to freeze the stolen assets and prevent further repercussions. Investigations are underway to understand the breach methodology, with negotiations taking place directly on the blockchain.

An extensive inquiry is ongoing, with Velocore actively monitoring the hacker's movements based on available evidence.

Individuals impacted by the cyber attack are seeking compensation, yet Velocore has not unveiled any plans for reimbursement. This breach is part of a series of security breaches plaguing the cryptocurrency field.

For example, DMM Bitcoin encountered a loss of $305 million due to a security breach. In 2024, the cryptocurrency sector suffered losses exceeding $473.22 million from multiple hacking incidents, with the month of May alone witnessing 21 breaches resulting in losses surpassing $52 million.

To enhance security measures against future breaches, Velocore and other cryptocurrency exchanges should prioritize rigorous security audits, ongoing surveillance for irregular activities, and collaborations with top cybersecurity professionals.