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19 May 2026, 06:57
How did an attacker mint 1,000 unauthorised eBTC on Echo Protocol?
Bitcoin-focused DeFi platform Echo Protocol has suffered an exploit after an attacker minted roughly 1,000 unauthorised eBTC tokens on the protocol’s Monad deployment. According to blockchain security firm PeckShield and on-chain analytics platform Lookonchain, the attacker created around $76.7 million worth of synthetic Bitcoin tokens before attempting to extract value through decentralised lending markets. Echo Protocol later confirmed that it was investigating “a security incident impacting the Echo bridge on Monad,” while also stating that all cross-chain transactions had been suspended during the investigation. https://twitter.com/EchoProtocol_/status/2056561412554870810?s=20 Monad co-founder Keone Hon has clarified on X that the Monad network itself was operating normally and had not been compromised. Security researchers and blockchain developers later narrowed the incident down to what developer “Marioo” described as an operational failure tied to compromised admin credentials rather than a flaw in the smart contract code itself. According to the developer, the eBTC contract functioned as intended, but weak access control measures allowed the attacker to take over administrative permissions. How the exploit unfolded On-chain investigators said the attacker first assigned themselves the DEFAULT_ADMIN_ROLE on Echo’s eBTC contract before granting their wallet the MINTER_ROLE, which enabled the creation of new tokens without backing. After securing minting privileges, the attacker reportedly removed their own admin permissions to avoid retaining a visible administrative role on-chain. With those controls in place, the exploiter minted 1,000 eBTC tokens worth approximately $77 million on paper. Limited liquidity across the Monad ecosystem, however, prevented the attacker from converting most of the assets directly through decentralised exchanges. Instead, data shared by Onchain Lens and Lookonchain showed the attacker deposited 45 eBTC, valued at roughly $3.5 million, into DeFi lending protocol Curvance as collateral. Against those deposits, the attacker borrowed approximately 11.29 wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) worth about $867,700. After bridging the borrowed WBTC to Ethereum, the exploiter swapped the assets into ETH and transferred roughly 384 to 385 ETH into crypto mixer Tornado Cash, according to multiple on-chain tracking accounts. Lookonchain and DeBank data indicated that the attacker still controls 955 eBTC worth around $73 million, though DefiPrime founder Nick Sawinyh said in a post that the remaining tokens were effectively unusable because Monad’s DeFi liquidity depth could not absorb the fake supply. Marioo also pointed to several security weaknesses that amplified the attack’s impact, including the use of a single-signature admin role, the absence of a timelock mechanism, no minting cap or rate limiter, and a lack of collateral sanity checks on Curvance for newly minted eBTC. Protocols move to contain damage As the exploit unfolded, Curvance said it detected an “anomaly” in the Echo eBTC market and paused the affected lending market while investigations continued. The protocol stated there was no indication that its own smart contracts had been breached, adding that its isolated market architecture prevented spillover into other lending pools. According to Hon, security researchers estimated realised losses at roughly $816,000, substantially below the paper value of the unauthorised mint because most of the fake eBTC supply could not be liquidated. Echo Protocol, which focuses on Bitcoin liquidity aggregation, liquid staking, restaking, and yield generation across multiple chains, has yet to disclose how the admin credentials were compromised. The protocol said further updates would be shared through official channels as the investigation progresses. The incident has added to a growing list of DeFi exploits recorded since the start of the year. As previously reported by Invezz , KelpDAO bridge infrastructure was compromised in an advanced RPC poisoning and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that resulted in a massive $292 million exploit. The post How did an attacker mint 1,000 unauthorised eBTC on Echo Protocol? appeared first on Invezz
19 May 2026, 06:43
Cardano faces drop to $0.22 after 1.6 percent fall
📉 Cardano drops 1.6 percent and hovers at $0.25 after channel resistance rejection. Traders watch closely as $ADA nears critical $0.22 support. 🟠 Key point: Continued sell pressure could drive ADA toward $0.20 in the short term. Continue Reading: Cardano faces drop to $0.22 after 1.6 percent fall The post Cardano faces drop to $0.22 after 1.6 percent fall appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .
19 May 2026, 06:42
HYPE jumps after Bitwise adds Hyperliquid token to its balance sheet
Bitcoin is stuck below the $77,000 level while Ethereum (ETH) is struggling to overcome the $2,200 resistance mark. However, HYPE, the native coin of the Hyperliquid DEX, is rallying, outperforming the other coins in the top 10. HYPE is up by more than 4% in the last 24 hours and is now approaching the $50 psychological market. The technical outlook is extremely bullish as HYPE defies the current market conditions. Bitwise to add HYPE to its balance sheet HYPE is up by more than 4% in the past 24 hours and is now trading above $47 per coin. The positive performance comes after Bitwise Asset Management announced on Monday that it will add HYPE to its balance sheet. The firm stated that it will use a portion of the management fees generated from its recently launched BHYP Hyperliquid ETF to accumulate the blockchain's native HYPE token on its balance sheet. https://twitter.com/Bitwise/status/2056366819405877749 Bitwise said it is adopting Hyperliquid's community-forward model, where roughly 99% of the blockchain's revenue is used to buy back and burn HYPE tokens. In that spirit, we’re pleased to announce that Bitwise will be devoting 10% of the Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF ($BHYP) management fee to holding HYPE on the Bitwise balance sheet. Bitwise This latest development comes after Bitwise's Hyperliquid ETF, trading under the ticker BHYP, made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. The fund gives investors indirect exposure to HYPE and staking rewards. Bitwise said it will stake the HYPE on its balance sheet. While other leading altcoins continue to underperform, HYPE is leading the market rally, alongside Zcash. HYPE is up 15% in the last seven days, fueled by growing retail demand. According to CoinGlass , HYPE’s futures Open Interest (OI) now reads $2.1 billion, higher than the $1.85 billion recorded on Monday. Furthermore, the OI-Weighted Funding Rate flipped positive on Monday and now reads 0.0018%. The positive funding rate suggests new capital entering the Hyperliquid ecosystem. Hyperliquid price outlook: Will HYPE set a new all-time high soon? The HYPE/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient as Hyperliquid is only 19% away from its all-time high price of $59.39. HYPE hit the $49 mark on Monday but has slightly retraced and is now trading around $47 per coin. With the momentum indicators still bullish, HYPE could rally higher in the near term. The RSI of 66 shows that HYPE is bullish, with buyers firmly in control of the market. The MACD lines are also within the positive territory, adding further confluence to the bullish narrative. If the buyers remain in charge, they could retest the $49 swing high and rally towards the $50 psychological level once again. A daily candle close above $50 could pave the way for further rally towards the all-time high price of $59. However, if the buyers get exhausted, HYPE could encounter support at the Monday low of $44.18. Failure to defend this support level could see HYPE dip towards the 4-hour Transactional Liquidity (TLQ) at $40.27, last tested on Saturday. The post HYPE jumps after Bitwise adds Hyperliquid token to its balance sheet appeared first on Invezz
19 May 2026, 06:35
AI Financial Warns Survival Uncertain After $706M in WLFI Tokens Locked
BitcoinWorld AI Financial Warns Survival Uncertain After $706M in WLFI Tokens Locked Nasdaq-listed AI Financial, formerly known as Alt5 Sigma, has disclosed in a new filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that its ability to continue operations is in doubt. The company, a major holder of World Liberty Financial (WLFI) tokens, reported it has only $10.5 million in cash on hand, while $706 million worth of WLFI tokens remain contractually locked and cannot be sold. Liquidity Crunch Raises Going-Concern Questions According to the SEC filing, AI Financial’s liquidity position has deteriorated sharply. The company acknowledged that the locked WLFI tokens, which represent the bulk of its assets, are inaccessible for immediate use. This has raised significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern through the end of the year. AI Financial also has a related-party loan with World Liberty Financial, the DeFi project behind the WLFI tokens. The project is linked to the Trump family, adding a layer of political and regulatory scrutiny to the situation. The company warned investors that it may not survive the current fiscal year without additional financing or a change in its asset liquidity. Massive Token Purchase and Subsequent Decline Last year, AI Financial raised approximately $1.5 billion to acquire $1.46 billion worth of WLFI tokens. Since then, the value of those tokens has fallen by more than half, compounding the company’s financial strain. The company’s first-quarter fintech revenue was only $4.7 million, a figure that pales in comparison to the scale of its token holdings and debt obligations. The situation highlights the risks associated with holding large, illiquid cryptocurrency positions, particularly when those assets are tied to a single project with uncertain market performance. The locked nature of the WLFI tokens means AI Financial cannot sell them to raise cash, even as the token’s market price continues to decline. Why This Matters to the Market AI Financial’s predicament is a cautionary tale for companies that have heavily invested in digital assets with restrictive lock-up periods. The case also underscores the broader volatility in the DeFi sector, where token values can fluctuate wildly and liquidity can evaporate quickly. For investors, the filing serves as a reminder to scrutinize the liquidity and contractual terms of digital asset holdings on corporate balance sheets. Regulatory attention is also likely to increase. The SEC filing explicitly raises going-concern doubts, which may trigger further inquiries into the company’s financial practices and its relationship with World Liberty Financial. The involvement of a politically connected project adds another dimension to the story, potentially drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators alike. Conclusion AI Financial’s warning is a stark illustration of the risks inherent in the crypto market, particularly when large positions are locked and illiquid. With only $10.5 million in cash against $706 million in restricted tokens, the company faces an uphill battle to survive. Investors and market watchers will be closely watching for any developments regarding the unlocking of the WLFI tokens or potential rescue financing. The case may also prompt other companies to reassess their exposure to locked digital assets. FAQs Q1: What is AI Financial’s main problem? A1: AI Financial has only $10.5 million in cash but holds $706 million in WLFI tokens that are contractually locked and cannot be sold, creating a severe liquidity crisis. Q2: Why can’t AI Financial sell its WLFI tokens? A2: The tokens are subject to contractual lock-up restrictions that prevent the company from selling them, even as their market value has declined by more than half. Q3: What is World Liberty Financial? A3: World Liberty Financial is a DeFi project linked to the Trump family. AI Financial has a related-party loan with the project and is one of its largest token holders. This post AI Financial Warns Survival Uncertain After $706M in WLFI Tokens Locked first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
19 May 2026, 06:22
$HTX Trading Volume Surges 393.5% on $HTX Frenzy Campaign
Panama City, May 18, 2026 – HTX successfully concluded its high-profile $HTX Frenzy campaign on May 15. The exchange allocated a 100,000 USDT prize pool toward the event, which spanned four primary tracks: asset holding, spot trading, grid trading, and HTX Earn subscriptions. According to official data, the campaign drew nearly 30,000 registered participants, with 93.6% of them maintaining active asset holdings. Average daily holdings among registered accounts rose by 318.1% compared to baseline figures before the campaign, while average daily spot trading volume jumped by 393.5%. The expansion in $HTX holdings and trading activity comes amid broader digital-asset market caution and constrained net capital inflows, reflecting the market’s growing recognition of $HTX’s long-term value and ecosystem potential. Eleven Consecutive Weeks of Gains: $HTX Charts Its Own Course Strong user confidence and surging participation metrics are clearly mirrored in $HTX’s secondary market performance. Market data shows that $HTX has recently staged an exceptionally strong rally, recording eleven consecutive weeks of gains while breaking above and standing firmly over the 60-week moving average (MA60). This is a strong indication of robust upward momentum. Source: HTX, as of May 18 Ecosystem Expansion Accelerates the $HTX Value Flywheel Behind this strong market performance is a rapid acceleration in $HTX ecosystem development initiatives led by HTX DAO and HTX. HTX DAO is moving ahead with the $HTX deflationary schedule. The platform previously completed the Q1 2026 $HTX token burn, permanently removing more than 10.83 trillion $HTX from circulation and further reinforcing market expectations around its long-term scarcity. Concurrently, HTX designated $HTX as its exclusive utility token for trading fee deductions. This strategically significant move directly ties HTX’s massive trading volume to the real-world utility of $HTX, generating sustained organic demand and providing strong underlying value support for the token. Meanwhile, initiatives such as the HTX Genesis Hackathon are continuing to gain momentum, attracting an increasing number of high-quality developers, innovative projects, and community contributors into the $HTX ecosystem, further strengthening the foundation for its long-term growth. The successful conclusion of HTX’s “$HTX Frenzy” event not only reflects the ecosystem’s recent phase of rapid expansion but also marks the beginning of a new chapter of value growth for $HTX. As HTX’s trading ecosystem continues to expand, HTX DAO further deepens ecosystem development, and more real-world use cases and developer resources converge around $HTX, the token is entering a healthy and self-reinforcing value flywheel. With additional ecosystem catalysts expected to kick off and materialize over time, $HTX is well positioned to demonstrate even stronger growth potential and long-term vitality across the broader crypto market. The post $HTX Trading Volume Surges 393.5% on $HTX Frenzy Campaign first appeared on HTX Square .
19 May 2026, 06:22
Major XRP Breakout Brewing as Bollinger Bands Reach Extreme Compression
Although every major breakout attempt from the cross-border token has been halted in the past several months, analysts continue to be highly positive that such a big move is in the making. Ali Martinez is the latest to outline such an opinion, basing his view on the tightening Bollinger Bands. Will This One Last? In his latest post on X on Ripple’s token, the analyst with over 165,000 followers said he is tracking what he called “the tightest Bollinger Band squeeze on the XRP 3-day chart in over a year.” This became possible as the asset has been sitting in a tight range between $1.30 and $1.50 for months, with just a few brief deviations. “When volatility compresses this tightly, it’s a signal that a violent price expansion is approaching,” Martinez added . He believes that the current trading range is a “no-trade zone,” and traders should let the market make its move to solidify the breakout confirmation. Recall that XRP has attempted a few of those bullish breakouts in the past several weeks, as it even reached $1.55 last week, but it was halted every time. “I’m waiting for a clean 3-day candlestick close outside of this range ($1.50-$1.29) to confirm the next major trend direction,” said Martinez. If the asset finally manages to close above $1.50, then it would signal an “expansion toward my primary target at $1.80.” In contrast, a decisive drop below $1.29 “invalidates the immediate bullish structure and opens the door for a deeper correction back toward the $1.00 psychological support,” Martinez concluded. Previously, Martinez explained that the SuperTrend indicator had also flashed a buy signal for the first time since January. Upward Pressure Increases Fellow analyst CW noted that “upward pressure on XRP is increasing again,” after the downward pressure appeared weak during the most recent rejection. They have noted multiple times in the past few weeks that XRP is on the verge of a bullish breakout as there’s little to no selling pressure left. Upward pressure on $XRP is increasing again. Downward pressure was weak during the decline. And upward momentum is gradually increasing again. pic.twitter.com/aqTEpV2S8z — CW (@CW8900) May 18, 2026 MikybullCrypto and CRYPTOWZRD have joined the growing number of analysts who expect a serious breakout attempt soon, with the former anticipating a “boom” and the latter seeing risks of a leg down. Meanwhile, a recent report indicated that Ripple whales have increased their holdings, currently controlling almost 70% of the asset’s total supply. The post Major XRP Breakout Brewing as Bollinger Bands Reach Extreme Compression appeared first on CryptoPotato .
