Hackers stole cryptocurrencies from the AscendEX exchange $77.7 million – Bits Media

The attackers withdrew Ethereum tokens from the AscendEX hot wallet to $60 millions and on other blockchains in the amount of about $20 millions.

Cryptocurrency trading platform AscendEX, formerly known as BitMax,
tweeted, What about 22:00 UTC 11 suffered a cyber attack on December. At the same time, users immediately began to complain, that their ETH withdrawals have been frozen for several hours.

As a result of the attack, the attackers withdrew Ethereum-based tokens from the exchange’s hot wallet, Binance Smart Chain and Polygon worth approx. $80 millions. Cold wallets were not affected. The company reported, that will investigate the incident and keep users updated.

AscendEX stated, what users, who suffered from the actions of attackers, will receive compensation from the exchange. The trading platform did not provide detailed information about, what tokens were stolen and for what amount.

Cybersecurity company PeckShield
posted more specific information on exchange losses on Twitter. The report says, that the losses of the AscendEX site amounted to $77.7 millions, out of which $60 million on Ethereum, $9.2 million on BSC and $8.5 million on Polygon.

Number and frequency of hacker attacks in 2021 year increases. Recently, the Bitmart trading platform lost its $100 millions on air and $50 millions in other cryptocurrencies. This month, hackers removed more than $60 millions in cryptocurrencies. Analytics firm Elliptic reported last month, that the volume of losses due to crimes in the DeFi market this year has increased sevenfold and reached $10.5 billions.