Market

Kraken Loses Nearly $3 Million to Researchers After Exploit

Published

10 months ago

June 19, 2024

Coin2049 Newsletter

Cryptocurrency trading platform Kraken has reported an exploit less than a fortnight ago that saw it lose almost $3 million in a bug-related attack.

The incident highlights the insecurities and vulnerabilities that continue to infest the industry.

Kraken Lost $3 Million in a Bug Attack

Kraken revealed a bug attack on June 9, which saw the bad actor make away with nearly $3 million. Based on the report shared by Kraken Chief Security Officer Nick Percoco, the exchange received a bug bounty program alert.

“On June 9 2024, we received a Bug Bounty program alert from a security researcher. No specifics were initially disclosed, but their email claimed to find an “extremely critical” bug that allowed them to artificially inflate their balance on our platform,” noted Percoco in a post on Wednesday.

The CSO noted that a further probe revealed an isolated bug that gave the bad actor unmerited privileges. Specifically, they could initiate a deposit on Kraken Exchange and receive funds in their account even though they had not fully completed the deposit.

A forensic analysis revealed a vulnerability in a recent UX change on Kraken’s platform. This flaw allowed a malicious attacker to “print assets” in their account for a period of time. Importantly, no client assets were compromised, and the issue has been fixed. However, a subsequent probe discovered that three accounts had already exploited the bug within a few days of each other.

“After patching the risk, we thoroughly investigated the situation and quickly discovered that 3 accounts had leveraged this flaw within a few days of each other. As we dug deeper, we noticed that one account was KYC’d to an individual who claimed to be a security researcher,” Percoco said.

A security researcher discovered a bug in Kraken’s funding system and credited their account with $4 in cryptocurrency. This amount was enough to demonstrate the flaw and file a bug bounty report, which would have earned a significant reward under Kraken’s program.

Instead, the researcher shared the bug with two colleagues, who exploited it to generate much larger sums fraudulently. This collusion led to a loss of nearly $3 million, taken from Kraken’s treasuries rather than client assets.

The incident culminated in a case of extortion after the crypto trading platform tried to recover the funds from the researchers. Kraken requested a full account of the researchers’ activities, including the proof of concept used to create the on-chain activity and arrangements to return the withdrawn funds.

“These security researchers refused. Instead, they demanded a call with their business development team and have not agreed to return any funds until we provide a speculated $ amount that this bug could have caused if they had not disclosed it. This is not white-hat hacking, it is extortion!” Percoco resented.

Kraken has therefore resorted to treating the incident as a criminal case, committing to coordinating with law enforcement. The research company remains undisclosed.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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Market

Wormhole (W) Jumps 10%—But Is a Pullback Coming?

Published

35 minutes ago

April 3, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

Wormhole (W) surged nearly 12% on Thursday after the project unveiled its official product roadmap. The project’s one-year anniversary has sparked speculative interviews.

However, technical data shows buyers and sellers locked in a fierce battle, as momentum indicators suggest a weakening trend. The DMI, Ichimoku Cloud, and EMA structures all reflect market indecision, with no clear direction confirmed just yet.

Wormhole DMI Chart Shows Market Indecision

Wormhole’s DMI chart shows its ADX (Average Directional Index) has dropped to 21.69 from 27.59 just a day earlier, signaling that the recent trend may be losing strength.

The ADX is a key indicator used to measure the strength—not the direction—of a trend. Generally, values below 20 suggest a weak or non-existent trend, while values above 25 indicate a strong trend.

With ADX now hovering near the threshold, it suggests that the bullish momentum seen in recent days could be fading.

Looking deeper, the +DI (Positive Directional Indicator) has fallen to 19.96 after peaking near 24 earlier, though it had surged from 9.68 the previous day.

Meanwhile, the -DI (Negative Directional Indicator) climbed to 18.27 after dropping to 15.21 earlier, following a sharp decline from 30.18 yesterday. This narrowing gap between +DI and -DI—combined with a weakening ADX—suggests uncertainty and potential indecision in price action.

With a $137.64 million token unlock on the horizon, this shift could hint at a cooling bullish impulse and the risk of renewed selling pressure if supply outweighs demand.

Ichimoku Cloud Shows Mixed Signals

Wormhole’s Ichimoku Cloud chart shows a mixed outlook. Price action is attempting to break through resistance but still faces notable headwinds.

The Tenkan-sen (blue line) has recently flattened and is closely aligned with the Kijun-sen (red line), signaling indecision or a potential pause in momentum.

Typically, when these lines are flat and close together, it indicates consolidation rather than a clear trend continuation or reversal.

Meanwhile, the Kumo (cloud) remains thick and red ahead, reflecting strong overhead resistance and a bearish long-term bias.

The price is hovering near the lower edge of the cloud but has yet to make a decisive move above it—suggesting that bullish momentum is tentative at best.

For a confirmed trend reversal, a clean break above the cloud with bullish crossovers would be needed. Until then, the chart points to a market still trying to find direction, especially ahead of a major token unlock event that could further impact sentiment and price action.

Will Wormhole Reclaim $0.10 In April?

Wormhole, which builds solutions around interoperable bridges, continues to see its EMA setup reflect a bearish structure. Short-term moving averages are still positioned below the longer-term ones, an indication that downward pressure remains dominant.

However, one of the short-term EMAs has started to curve upward, hinting at a possible shift in momentum as buyers begin to step in. This early uptick could signal the beginning of a trend reversal, though confirmation is still pending.

If bullish momentum gains traction, Wormhole may attempt to break the nearby resistance at $0.089. A successful breakout could open the door for a move toward higher resistance levels at $0.108 and even $0.136.

Conversely, failure to clear $0.089 could reinforce bearish control, pushing the price back to test support at $0.079.

A break below that level could expose W to further downside toward $0.076, $0.073, and potentially below $0.07—marking uncharted territory for the token.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

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Market

Ripple Shifts $1B in XRP Amid Growing Bearish Pressure

Published

2 hours ago

April 3, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

XRP is under pressure, down nearly 6% in the past 24 hours and teetering just above the $2 mark as bearish momentum builds. A $1.02 billion unlock from Ripple’s escrow has sparked fresh concerns about oversupply, with tokens moved to operational wallets possibly poised for distribution.

At the same time, network activity has collapsed 87% since mid-March and technical indicators like DMI and EMA lines suggest growing downside risk. With weakening trend strength and fading demand, XRP may struggle to hold key support levels unless a catalyst revives bullish sentiment.

Ripple Wallet Activity Sparks Fears

Onchain data shows that Ripple has unlocked 500 million XRP—worth around $1.02 billion—from its escrow account.

The tokens were moved from the “Ripple (27)” escrow address to two operational wallets, “Ripple (12)” and “Ripple (13),” potentially positioning them for distribution or sale.

While the escrow account still holds another 500 million XRP, the movement of such a large amount into accessible wallets often raises concerns about increased market supply. If Ripple sells a portion of these tokens, it could create short-term selling pressure on XRP’s price.

From a technical standpoint, XRP’s DMI chart is flashing bearish signals. The ADX, which measures trend strength, has sharply declined to 26.68 from 42.45 just two days ago, suggesting the recent trend is weakening.

Meanwhile, the +DI has dropped to 12.91, down from 22 yesterday—indicating a decline in bullish momentum. At the same time, the -DI has surged to 27.43 from 15.64, pointing to rising bearish pressure.

This shift in directional strength, combined with the large token unlock, suggests XRP may face further downside unless demand quickly absorbs the incoming supply.

XRP Network Activity Collapses 87%

XRP’s network activity surged to record highs in March, with 7-day active addresses reaching an all-time peak of 1.22 million on March 18.

However, that momentum quickly faded, with the number now plummeting to just 158,000—an 87% drop in less than three weeks.

This dramatic reversal suggests that the recent spike in engagement may have been short-lived or event-driven rather than indicative of sustained adoption or growing user demand.

7-Day XRP Active Addresses. Source: Santiment.

Tracking 7-day active addresses is a key on-chain metric, offering insight into how frequently a token’s network is being used. High activity can signal strong user interest and utility, often aligning with price support or rallies.

On the other hand, sharp declines in active addresses—like what XRP is now experiencing—can signal waning demand, decreasing network usage, and potential selling pressure.

With such a steep drop in activity, XRP’s price may struggle to find an upside unless new catalysts reignite user engagement.

XRP Faces Strong Downtrend, But Eyes Rebound If Key Levels Break

XRP’s EMA structure clearly reflects a strong ongoing downtrend, with short-term moving averages positioned well below the long-term ones and a wide gap between them—signaling persistent bearish momentum.

Unless bulls step in soon, XRP price may be on track to test support around $1.90, a key level that has held in the past.

XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView.

A break below it could expose the asset to further downside toward $1.77.

However, if XRP manages to reverse the current trend and regain upward momentum, it could climb to challenge resistance at $2.06.

A successful breakout above that level might pave the way for a continued rally toward $2.22.

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Market

XRP Battle Between Bulls And Bears Hinges On $1.97 – What To Expect

Published

3 hours ago

April 3, 2025

Coin2049 Newsletter

The crypto market watches with bated breath as XRP teeters at $1.97, a battleground where bullish conviction clashes with bearish determination. After a retreat from recent highs, the digital asset now faces a critical test.

The current standoff mirrors the broader tug-of-war in crypto markets, where sentiment shifts rapidly and key price levels dictate the next major move. For XRP, $1.97 isn’t just another number; it’s a line in the sand. A decisive hold here could reignite upward momentum, while a breakdown may embolden the bears.

Market Sentiment: Fear, Greed, Or Indecision?

According to Grumlin Mystery, a well-known crypto analyst, XRP is likely to experience a further downside in the near future, potentially dropping to $1.96. In his March 30th post on X, he highlighted that a decrease in liquidity within the crypto market is playing a crucial role in weakening XRP’s price stability, driven by the impact of US tariffs and the implementation of Trump’s policy changes.

Grumlin pointed out that restrictive trade policies and economic uncertainty have led to a slowdown in capital flow into riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. With reduced liquidity, market participants have less buying power, making it easier for bears to push prices lower. He warned that if these economic conditions persist, XRP could struggle to find strong support, and a drop below $1.96 could trigger further declines.

This drying up of liquidity has allowed sellers to gain the upper hand, exerting downward pressure on prices. As a result, XRP’s ability to hold support at $1.96 remains uncertain, and unless market conditions improve, a deeper correction could be on the horizon.

XRP

Grumlin Mystery further elaborated that a sharp change in Trump’s rhetoric regarding tariffs remains highly unpredictable, making it difficult to gauge its full impact on the financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. While many initially believed that Trump’s stance would be a major positive catalyst for the crypto market, the reality appears to be more complex.

The analyst emphasized that market uncertainty is increasing as traders struggle to anticipate the next move in U.S. economic policy. If Trump maintains or intensifies his tariff approach, it could further tighten liquidity conditions, making it even harder for XRP to sustain bullish momentum.

Possible Scenarios For XRP

If buyers successfully defend the $1.96 level, XRP could see renewed upside momentum. A bounce from this support zone might trigger a rally toward $2.64, where the next resistance lies. A breakout above this level raises the potential to $2.92 or even $3.4, confirming a bullish recovery. Increased trading volume and improving market sentiment would be key indicators of this scenario playing out.

Sellers’ failure to maintain control and XRP’s failure to hold above $1.96 may cause a sharper decline. In this case, the next critical support levels to watch would be $1.70 and $1.34. Breaking below these levels could expose the asset to more losses to $0.93 or lower.

XRP

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