KuCoin Hack

Reported affected value $285.0M
Ethereum
Private Key Compromised (Unknown Method)

What happened

KuCoin detected abnormal hot-wallet transfers on September 26, 2020. Its retrospective valued 154 affected tokens at approximately $285 million. KuCoin reported recovering $239.45 million through partners and authorities, with the remaining $45.55 million covered by KuCoin and its insurance fund.

Technical root cause

KuCoin attributed the transfers to hot-wallet private-key leakage following an internal-network intrusion.

How it happened

  1. According to KuCoin, a prolonged intrusion into its internal network exposed private keys for several hot wallets.
  2. Attackers transferred assets from those wallets.
  3. KuCoin replaced the wallets and coordinated recovery with projects, exchanges and authorities.
  4. The company covered the remaining shortfall; this reimbursement is distinct from recovered stolen assets.

Protocol details

Classification Infrastructure / Key Compromise
Protocol Type CEX
Protocol links Website @kucoincom

Funds Recovery

98.2%

Recovered

$280.0M

Net Loss

$5,130,000

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