$30 Million Hack Alert? Crypto Exchange Phemex Suspends Withdrawals After Suspicious Transactions

Source Newsbtc

Crypto exchange Phemex appears to have been the victim of a multi-million exploit on Thursday, according to online reports. Millions worth of USDT, USDC, Ethereum (ETH), and other crypto assets were stolen from the exchange’s hot wallets, resulting in a temporary half of withdrawals.

Phemex Suffers First Crypto Exchange Hack Of 2025

On Thursday morning, the first crypto exchange hack of the year hit the industry. Multiple reports revealed suspicious activity involving Phemex’s hot wallets was taking place over several chains.

Blockchain security firm Cyvvers shared on X it had detected multiple transactions to several suspicious wallets on different chains, “including BNB, ETH, OP, POL, BASE, and ARB.”

The security firm’s initial report stated that over $29 million worth of crypto had been transferred to the suspicious addresses, later raising the sum. “Upon deeper analysis, it has come to light that both BTC and TRON blockchains have also been impacted, with the estimated total loss now reaching approximately $37 million,” the update read.

Cyvvers seemingly identified around 125 suspicious transactions spread across the different blockchains and noted that the attackers had started swapping the tokens to Ethereum (ETH) to avoid potential freezing measures.

Meanwhile, on-chain data analysis firm Lookonchain broke down the crypto heist, stating that the hack had taken around $31 million worth of crypto assets. According to the analysis, 3.48 million USDC, 3.42 million USDT, and 841 ETH, worth $2.7 million were drained from the exchange’s hot wallet.

crypto

Additionally, the attackers took 110,701 LINK, 142 billion PEPE, 1.19 million FET, and 29,509 AVAX, valued at around $7.3 million combined. Lookonchain also listed ONDO, TRX, CRV, JASMY, AAVE, SHIB, GRT, and BRETT, as part of the stolen crypto assets.

Compensation Plan In The Works

After the news, Phemex CEO Federico Variola confirmed the attack on one of the crypto exchange’s hot wallets. Variola assured users that Phemex’s cold wallets remained safe and that they were investigating the reports.

The exchange then announced on X the temporary halt of withdrawals due to the emergency inspection and strengthening of the security measures but did not offer further details about the incident.

To ensure security, withdrawals have been temporarily suspended while we conduct an emergency inspection and strengthen wallet services. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Withdrawals will be restored soon. Phemex and the development team apologize for the disruption. Our mission to provide a seamless and trusted trading environment remains firm.

Nonetheless, the post stated that ongoing business operations were fine and that trading services continued as usual. Phemex’s team also revealed they are working on a compensation plan, which will be announced soon.

It’s worth noting that, in 2024, the number of hacks and total value lost increased from the year prior. According to Chainalysis data, 2024 was the fourth consecutive year in which the funds stolen from crypto hacks exceeded the billion-dollar mark.

Additionally, the total value stolen surged to $2.2 billion last year, and it became the year with the most individual hacks, reaching 303 incidents by December.

Centralized exchanges (CEXs) were the most targeted platforms in Q2 and Q3, recording some of the largest incidents in the industry’s history, while Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms accounted for the largest share of stolen assets in Q1, like most quarters between 2021 and 2023.

crypto, ethereum, eth, ethusdt
Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Nvidia stock sinks 4% as Trump’s tariff plans rattle AI tradeNvidia shares fell over 4% early Monday after US President Donald Trump delivered a stern message about trade tariffs. Trump said on Sunday that no country would be given any special treatment regarding tariffs. He also signed new trade policies into effect on April 2, which he calls “Liberation Day.” This frightened investors, who had […]
Author  NewsBTC
Apr 01, Tue
Nvidia shares fell over 4% early Monday after US President Donald Trump delivered a stern message about trade tariffs. Trump said on Sunday that no country would be given any special treatment regarding tariffs. He also signed new trade policies into effect on April 2, which he calls “Liberation Day.” This frightened investors, who had […]
placeholder
Bitcoin Price Bounces Back—Can It Finally Break Resistance?Bitcoin price started a recovery wave above the $83,500 zone. BTC is now consolidating and might struggle to settle above the $85,500 zone. Bitcoin started a decent recovery wave above the $83,500
Author  NewsBTC
Yesterday 03: 37
Bitcoin price started a recovery wave above the $83,500 zone. BTC is now consolidating and might struggle to settle above the $85,500 zone. Bitcoin started a decent recovery wave above the $83,500
placeholder
Bitcoin Price Struggling but Short-Term Holders Might Be Setting the Stage for $150KBitcoin has recently displayed signs of upward momentum, trading at $85,215, marking a 2.2% increase in just the past day. Despite this short-term gain, the asset remains down by over 21.2% from its
Author  NewsBTC
Yesterday 08: 43
Bitcoin has recently displayed signs of upward momentum, trading at $85,215, marking a 2.2% increase in just the past day. Despite this short-term gain, the asset remains down by over 21.2% from its
placeholder
U.S. March Nonfarm Payroll Preview: Even If Data Aligns with Expectations, Financial Markets May Not Escape the Fate of VolatilityOn 4 April 2025, the United States will release its March Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data. The market consensus currently anticipates job growth of 128,000, a decline from February’s 151,000 (Figure 1). W
Author  TradingKey
Yesterday 08: 59
On 4 April 2025, the United States will release its March Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data. The market consensus currently anticipates job growth of 128,000, a decline from February’s 151,000 (Figure 1). W
placeholder
Gold price stabilizes ahead of Trump's tariffs announcement on “Liberation Day”Gold price (XAU/USD) stabilizes just above $3,130 at the time of writing on Wednesday following a mean reversal move the prior day after a fresh all-time high got eked out at $3,149 before closing in negative territory.
Author  FXStreet
Yesterday 10: 01
Gold price (XAU/USD) stabilizes just above $3,130 at the time of writing on Wednesday following a mean reversal move the prior day after a fresh all-time high got eked out at $3,149 before closing in negative territory.
goTop
quote