North Korean Hacker Converts $230M WazirX Heist into Ethereum, WRX Token Plummets 40%

• A recent major security breach at WazirX, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has sent shockwaves through the crypto community.
• The attacker has managed to convert a significant portion of the $230 million stolen into Ethereum (ETH), now holding around $200 million in this cryptocurrency.
• This incident has caused severe liquidity issues on the exchange, leading to a drastic 40% drop in the value of the WRX token over the past 24 hours.

Discover the implications of WazirX’s security breach and its impact on the broader cryptocurrency market in this detailed analysis.

Impact on Listed Cryptocurrencies

The breach has placed immense pressure on the liquidity of WazirX’s listed cryptocurrencies. Blockchain analysis firm Lookonchain reported that the hacker now controls 59,097 ETH valued at $200 million, plus an additional $15 million in other digital assets. This has led to cryptocurrencies on WazirX trading at a significant discount compared to their global and local counterparts. For instance, the Bitcoin/rupee pair has seen a sharp 22% drop in the last day, a stark contrast to the minor declines observed on other Indian exchanges like CoinDCX and Zebpay.

Origins of the Hack

The breach, which occurred on July 18, was traced back to a vulnerability in WazirX’s multisignature wallet, resulting in the loss of over $100 million in Shiba Inu and $52 million in Ethereum, among other assets. These stolen funds represented more than 45% of the exchange’s total reserves as of June 2024, severely impacting user confidence and recovery possibilities. WazirX has attributed the hack to a mismatch between data on Liminal’s interface and the actual signed information, leading to manipulated control by the hacker. This explanation, however, has faced skepticism from the Indian cryptocurrency community.

Lessons for Cryptocurrency Users

For users, this incident underscores the importance of continually assessing the security measures of exchanges before making investments. Opting for platforms with robust security protocols and compliance practices can significantly reduce risk. Staying informed about market trends and diversifying investments can further mitigate risks associated with exchange-specific breaches. In the wake of the attack, WazirX has temporarily halted both cryptocurrency and fiat withdrawals, raising broader concerns about the platform’s security and reliability.

Conclusion

This security breach at WazirX not only exposes critical vulnerabilities within one of India’s prominent exchanges but also serves as a stark reminder for investors to prioritize security. The incident could have lasting effects on India’s cryptocurrency market, influencing investor confidence and overall market stability. Moving forward, enhanced security measures and transparent communication will be vital in restoring trust and ensuring the resilience of cryptocurrency platforms.