WazirX Suspends Trading After $230 Million Cyberattack

As a researcher with extensive experience in the cryptocurrency market, I find the recent cyberattack on WazirX, India’s leading Bitcoin exchange, particularly concerning. Having closely followed the developments surrounding this incident, I am deeply troubled by the theft of approximately $230 million worth of digital assets, including significant amounts of Shiba Inu.


WazirX, known as “India’s Bitcoin exchange,” has had to suspend all trading operations for all pairs due to a significant cyberattack. This incident led to the loss of around $230 million in digital assets.

Due to a cyber attack that affected our system, we currently cannot ensure the required 1:1 collateral for each asset during trades. As a result, we have temporarily suspended trading activities. We are carrying out extensive data investigation and security assessments to restore normal operations as soon as possible.

— WazirX: India Ka Bitcoin Exchange (@WazirXIndia) July 21, 2024

Hackers have taken advantage of a weakness in WazirX’s multi-signature wallet security, leading to the theft of cryptocurrencies including Shiba Inu. This incident significantly affected WazirX’s capacity to keep user holdings matched with an equal value of reserves, a crucial component for assuring users that their funds are backed by real assets.

In reaction to the recent incident, WazirX temporarily halted trading and withdrawal activities for a thorough investigation. The exchange is currently performing extensive data analyses and security checks to pinpoint the cause of the breach and bolster their defenses against future attacks. WazirX aims to restart withdrawals as soon as the assessment is completed. Moreover, to encourage the recovery of stolen funds, they have introduced a $23 Million bounty program, offering substantial rewards for anyone returning the seized assets.

The trading pause and the massive amount of stolen funds have raised major concerns and apprehension among WazirX users. They are worried about the exchange’s capacity to bounce back from this cyberattack and the safety of their remaining assets. This occurrence may trigger a domino effect on the Indian cryptocurrency sector, possibly resulting in reduced investor trust and decreased trading activity across platforms.

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2024-07-22 01:09