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18 May 2026, 15:28

Adshares hacker returns 86% of $628K loot as analysts expose post-hack vulnerabilities

The attacker behind the Adshares bridge exploit on May 17 has returned 256 ETH (roughly $540,700) to the project’s deployer address, covering about 86% of the estimated $628,000 loss, according to PeckShieldAlert. However, despite the news of the partial refund being a form of relief for the project and the DeFi space, which is seeing increased attacks from bad actors, security researchers warn that platforms and users should also be wary and alert, as post-hack recovery periods also attract scammers who prey on affected users. Adshares bridge exploiter returned 256 ETH after $628K hack. Source: PeckShield via X/Twitter. How did the Adshares exploit happen? According to security researcher and founder of web3 security platform CD Security, Chris Dior, who was among the first to flag the Adshares incident on May 16, the root cause was a failure in bridge mint validation. “The bridge-minter EOA signed 3 wrapTo() calls with non-existent native-chain txids, minting fake wADS to the attacker. Attacker dumped the wADS for ~148.5 ETH and ~$305K USDC on Ethereum,” Dior wrote on X. DeFiLlama’s exploit database categorizes the May 16 incident as a protocol-logic failure using a “Bridge Verification Bypass” technique, with a $628,000 total loss on Ethereum. This infers that the vulnerability was from the bridge’s cross-chain proof-checking layer and not a market-trading or oracle-related flaw. Adshares managed to get a partial refund Exploiters returning a certain percentage of their loot and keeping a smaller percentage is not new in the DeFi space. However, it seems this white hat route is gaining more popularity as some have been executed successfully. The Adshares partial refund follows that pattern. However, it has not been confirmed if Adshares offered formal bounty terms or whether the attacker returned funds voluntarily as of the time of writing. Another platform that recently recovered part of its exploited funds is TAC, a cross-chain protocol bridging TON and Ethereum. After losing $2.8 million on May 12, TAC offered the attacker a 10% bounty to return the remainder. The exploiter accepted, and TAC reclassified the event as a white hat incident, dropping litigation in coordination with security partners and law enforcement. The Verus team has also extended a white hat offer to the attacker who launched an $11.5 million exploit against the platform, as reported by Cryptopolitan . So far, the Adshares team has not published a public statement addressing the exploit, released a postmortem, issued an official bounty notice, or shared anything about recovery. Users should be wary of any information that is not coming from the platform’s official handles. Recovery periods breed secondary scams Not every exploit leads to a refund; in fact, many do not, and even when funds do come back, the attention surrounding a hack creates fertile ground for fraud. During these windows, it is common to see an increase in fake bounty notices, phishing refund portals, and wallet-verification links targeting users who are searching for compensation updates. The THORChain and Verus exploits are the most recent incidents that have led analysts to raise these alarms. THORChain suffered a $10 million exploit on May 15, after which bad actors started spreading misinformation that the protocol was going to launch a refund platform. Anyone here or in DM (or anywhere) claiming to be part of the Verus team or community offering reimbursement is a scammer, DO NOT ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE OFFERING REIMBURSEMENT OR CLAIMING THERE IS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, AND REPORT THEM TO DISCORD or X accordingly. — Verus – The Internet of Value (@VerusCoin) May 18, 2026 THORChain warned users on X that “multiple fake accounts and false information” were circulating about nonexistent refund programs, airdrops, and compensation claims. Adshares users face a similar risk window now that the partial return has drawn public attention. Bridge exploits continue to mount in 2026 The Adshares breach adds to a growing number of bridge-related exploits. PeckShieldAlert reported that cumulative bridge losses in 2026 have exceeded $328.6 million through mid-May, a figure that includes the $11.5 million Verus-Ethereum bridge hack that was disclosed on May 18. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

18 May 2026, 15:25

Canadian Dollar Edges Higher as Markets Eye CPI Data and FOMC Minutes

BitcoinWorld Canadian Dollar Edges Higher as Markets Eye CPI Data and FOMC Minutes The Canadian dollar edged slightly higher against its US counterpart on Tuesday, as currency markets traded in a cautious range ahead of key inflation data and the release of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes. The loonie’s modest gain reflects a wait-and-see mood among traders, who are positioning for potential shifts in monetary policy on both sides of the border. Markets Await CPI Releases from Canada and the US Investors are closely watching the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) reports from Canada and the United States, scheduled for later this week. Canadian inflation figures will provide the Bank of Canada with critical data as it assesses whether to hold or adjust its current interest rate stance. Meanwhile, US CPI data will influence the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory, directly impacting the USD/CAD exchange rate. A hotter-than-expected US inflation reading could strengthen the greenback, while softer numbers might support the loonie. FOMC Minutes Could Offer Rate Path Clues The release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes from the most recent meeting is also a focal point for forex traders. The document may reveal deeper insights into the committee’s thinking on inflation, employment, and the timing of potential rate cuts. Any hawkish signals could boost the US dollar, while a dovish tone would likely benefit risk-sensitive currencies like the Canadian dollar. The minutes are expected to reinforce the Fed’s data-dependent approach, keeping markets on edge. What This Means for Traders For currency traders, the combination of CPI data and FOMC minutes represents a high-volatility event window. The Canadian dollar’s recent range-bound movement suggests that a breakout could occur once the data is released. Traders should be prepared for potential swings in USD/CAD, particularly if the inflation figures deviate significantly from expectations. The loonie’s sensitivity to commodity prices, especially oil, adds another layer of complexity to the outlook. Conclusion The Canadian dollar’s slight uptick reflects cautious optimism, but the currency’s near-term direction hinges on the upcoming CPI reports and FOMC minutes. With both Canadian and US inflation data on the horizon, traders are bracing for potential volatility. The loonie’s performance will also depend on broader risk appetite and commodity market trends, making this a critical week for USD/CAD positioning. FAQs Q1: Why did the Canadian dollar move higher today? The Canadian dollar edged higher as traders adjusted positions ahead of key CPI data and FOMC minutes, with markets in a cautious but slightly optimistic mood. Q2: How do CPI reports affect the Canadian dollar? CPI data influences central bank interest rate decisions. Higher inflation may prompt tighter monetary policy, which can strengthen a currency, while lower inflation could lead to rate cuts and currency weakness. Q3: What should traders watch for in the FOMC minutes? Traders look for clues on the Fed’s views on inflation, employment, and the timing of potential rate cuts. Hawkish language could boost the US dollar, while dovish tones may support the Canadian dollar. This post Canadian Dollar Edges Higher as Markets Eye CPI Data and FOMC Minutes first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

18 May 2026, 15:20

Bitcoin sees $982m outflows as investors rotate into XRP and Solana

CoinShares data showed nearly $1 billion leaving Bitcoin investment products as investors shifted toward selective altcoin exposure.

18 May 2026, 15:20

US and Germany Keep Leading as XRP Records 70% Jump in 7-Day ETF Inflows Worldwide

The US and Germany anchor a 70% surge in global XRP ETF inflows, defying a broader $1.074 billion flight from the market ahead of the CLARITY Act vote.

18 May 2026, 15:20

Goldman Sachs exits XRP ETF

Banking giant Goldman Sachs has fully exited its positions in several cryptocurrency -focused exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ) amid subdued performance by the products. In its latest 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the investment banking giant dumped its stakes in XRP – and Solana ( SOL )-related ETFs. The filing shows Goldman Sachs liquidated its holdings in multiple XRP-linked ETFs after previously holding roughly $154 million worth of the products in the fourth quarter of 2025. At the time, the bank was among the largest institutional holders of XRP-related ETFs, with exposure spread across products offered by companies including Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale Investments, and 21Shares. Goldman Sachs also exited its positions in Solana-related investment products, including the Grayscale Solana Trust ETF, Bitwise Solana Staking ETF, and Fidelity Solana Fund, marking a broad retreat from alternative cryptocurrency ETF exposure. Goldman Sachs broader cryptocurrency holding Despite the reduction in XRP and Solana holdings, the bank continues to maintain significant exposure to Bitcoin ( BTC ) ETFs. Goldman Sachs still holds approximately $690 million in BlackRock’s IBIT and around $25 million in Fidelity Investments’ FBTC, although both positions declined by about 10% from the previous quarter. The filing also revealed a sharp reduction in Ethereum ( ETH ) ETF exposure. Goldman Sachs cut its holdings in BlackRock’s ETHA ETF by roughly 70%, leaving about 7.2 million shares valued at approximately $114 million. At the same time, the bank increased its investments in crypto-related equities, adding to positions in Circle Internet Group, Galaxy Digital, Coinbase, Robinhood Markets, and PayPal. Meanwhile, it reduced holdings in crypto mining and infrastructure firms, including Strategy, Bit Digital, Riot Platforms, and IREN. The post Goldman Sachs exits XRP ETF appeared first on Finbold .

18 May 2026, 15:20

Pump.fun Transfers $7.76M in SOL to Kraken as On-Chain Activity Intensifies

BitcoinWorld Pump.fun Transfers $7.76M in SOL to Kraken as On-Chain Activity Intensifies Pump.fun, a Solana-based token launchpad, has transferred 91,708 SOL—worth approximately $7.76 million—to the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange, according to on-chain analytics firm Onchain Lens. This transaction is part of a broader movement of funds today, bringing the total Solana sent to Kraken by the platform to 174,400 SOL, valued at roughly $14.76 million. Details of the Transfer The latest transfer was detected by blockchain monitoring tools and reported by Onchain Lens via social media. The funds were moved from a wallet associated with Pump.fun to a Kraken deposit address. While the exact purpose of the transfer has not been officially disclosed by Pump.fun or Kraken, large exchange deposits often signal an intention to sell or manage liquidity. Context and Market Implications Pump.fun is a platform that facilitates the creation and trading of memecoins and other tokens on the Solana blockchain. It has seen significant activity in recent months, particularly during the memecoin trading frenzy. Large-scale movements of SOL from such platforms to centralized exchanges can indicate profit-taking, operational treasury management, or preparation for new listings. The total of 174,400 SOL moved today represents a notable volume, especially when compared to average daily trading volumes for SOL. Such inflows can create short-term selling pressure on the asset, though the broader market impact depends on how the funds are utilized after arrival on the exchange. On-Chain Visibility and Transparency This event highlights the transparency of blockchain transactions, allowing observers to track large wallet movements in near real-time. For retail investors and analysts, monitoring such flows provides insight into the behavior of major holders and platforms. However, it is important to note that on-chain data does not reveal intent—only the movement itself. Conclusion Pump.fun’s transfer of $7.76 million in SOL to Kraken, part of a $14.76 million daily total, represents a significant on-chain event. While the reasons remain unconfirmed, the transaction underscores the ongoing high-volume activity within the Solana ecosystem and the importance of exchange inflows as a market signal. Readers should monitor official statements from Pump.fun or Kraken for further clarification. FAQs Q1: Why did Pump.fun transfer SOL to Kraken? The exact reason has not been publicly disclosed. Possible explanations include selling for fiat or stablecoins, providing liquidity, or managing operational treasury funds. On-chain data alone cannot confirm intent. Q2: How does this transfer affect the price of Solana? Large exchange inflows can create selling pressure, but the actual price impact depends on market depth and whether the SOL is sold immediately. Short-term volatility is possible. Q3: Can I track similar large transfers in real-time? Yes. Blockchain explorers and analytics platforms like Onchain Lens, Whale Alert, and Solscan provide real-time tracking of large wallet movements on the Solana network. This post Pump.fun Transfers $7.76M in SOL to Kraken as On-Chain Activity Intensifies first appeared on BitcoinWorld .