This week in decentralized finance （DeFi）, a major hack on WazirX resulted in $149 million being funneled into Ether, Hamster Kombat users face phishing attacks, and a notorious phishing app was shut down.
Points
- WazirX hacker converts $149 million in altcoins to Ether.
- Hamster Kombat players targeted by phishing attacks.
- The phishing app Angel Drainer was shut down after developers were potentially identified.
- A scammer returned $9.3 million to a victim after a phishing attack.
- DeFi market shows mixed performance with some tokens logging significant gains.
WazirX Hacker Funnels $149 Million
The decentralized finance （DeFi） space faced another significant setback this week as hackers exploited the WazirX cryptocurrency exchange, converting nearly $149 million in altcoins to Ether. The conversion involved substantial amounts of Shiba Inu （SHIB）, Polygon （MATIC）, and Pepe （PEPE）, bringing the total amount of stolen funds in Ether to $201 million.
Cointelegraph
Hamster Kombat Phishing Attacks
Players of the viral Telegram-based clicker game Hamster Kombat are being targeted by malicious actors through phishing attacks. These scammers lure victims with fake crypto airdrops, attempting to steal login credentials and other sensitive information. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky highlighted these ongoing threats, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance among users.
Angel Drainer Phishing App Shutdown
In a significant win for the crypto community, the notorious phishing app Angel Drainer was shut down after its developers were likely identified. Angel Drainer has been blamed for over $25 million in crypto losses due to phishing scams. The shutdown of this app represents a major step forward in protecting users from such fraudulent activities.
Scammer Returns $9.3 Million
In an unexpected turn of events, a phishing scammer returned nearly $9.3 million to a victim ten months after stealing $24 million. This unusual act of restitution was first noticed by Scam Sniffer, with the funds returned in Dai （DAI） stablecoin across two transactions. While the motive behind the return remains unclear, it underscores the unpredictable nature of the crypto space.
DeFi Market Overview
Despite these security challenges, the DeFi market saw mixed performance this week. The majority of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap ended the week in the green. Notably, Solana-based memecoin Dogwifhat （WIF） logged a 54% weekly gain, followed by Worldcoin （WLD） with a 47% increase. The Crypto Fear & Greed index rose to 60, signaling “greed” among investors, a significant improvement from the previous week’s “extreme fear” rating.
Cointelegraph
Conclusion
This week’s developments in the DeFi space highlight the ongoing security challenges and the dynamic nature of the market. While the WazirX hack and phishing attacks on Hamster Kombat users underscore the need for robust security measures, the shutdown of Angel Drainer and the unexpected return of stolen funds offer a glimmer of hope. The DeFi market’s mixed performance reflects the complex and ever-evolving landscape of decentralized finance.
解説
- Decentralized Finance （DeFi）: A financial ecosystem built on blockchain technology that aims to offer traditional financial services without intermediaries.
- Phishing Attacks: Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
- Stablecoin （DAI）: A type of cryptocurrency that is pegged to a stable asset, such as the U.S. dollar, to minimize price volatility.
- Crypto Fear & Greed Index: An indicator that measures market sentiment, ranging from extreme fear to extreme greed.
- Memecoin: A type of cryptocurrency that is often created as a joke or meme but can gain substantial value and popularity.