CoinDCX launches $6m customer protection fund following WazirX hack

As a seasoned analyst with years of experience in the turbulent world of cryptocurrencies, I find the recent move by CoinDCX to establish a $6 million contingency fund, the ‘Crypto Investor Protection Fund’ (CIPF), commendable and prudent. Given the escalating number of cyber attacks in the crypto sector since its inception, such measures are essential for maintaining investor trust and ensuring the long-term viability of exchanges.


As a crypto investor, I’m reassured to know that CoinDCX has set up a $6 million safety net to safeguard my investments amidst the challenging times faced by the Indian crypto market following the $230 million theft from WazirX. This proactive move demonstrates their commitment to our financial security during these trying circumstances.

In simpler terms, a notice published on crypto news announced the creation of ‘Crypto Investor Safety Net’ which aims to reimburse users if they experience losses due to hacking incidents or unexpected events that might jeopardize their investments.

“Sumit Gupta, the co-founder of CoinDCX, stated that this special investment fund is put in place to offer an extra shield, guaranteeing the safety and integrity of our customers’ resources.”

Initially, CoinDCX sets aside around 50 crores, equivalent to about $6 million, for a fund. Over time, they plan to expand this fund by dedicating 2% of their earnings from brokerage fees towards it. As stated by Gupta, the fund will be regularly monitored and reviewed annually to maintain its sustainability.

Additionally, the organization has set up a system of guidelines to oversee the credit and usage of the fund, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

Following the hack on WazirX, where approximately 45% of customer assets worth over $230 million were stolen, there was an immediate response to create the CIPF (Crypto Investor Protection Fund). This move aimed to protect Indian cryptocurrency investors and ensure that such incidents do not compromise the 1:1 collateral ratio again.

In an effort to soothe customer anxieties, the exchange suggested a shared-risk approach, referred to as a ‘socialized loss strategy’. This plan would enable customers to instantly withdraw 55% of their funds, while the remaining amount would be safeguarded in Tether’s USDT.

Consequently, the strategy turned out to be problematic, as crypto investors viewed it as biased and a tactic to dodge total accountability for the losses. In the end, the exchange was forced to scrap the idea.

In the world of cryptocurrencies, where cyber attacks have been prevalent since their beginning, contingency funds like the CIPF are not novel. Given that these attacks seem to persist rather than decrease, many prominent cryptocurrency exchanges have set up similar funds as a means of survival.

As a seasoned cryptocurrency trader with several years of experience under my belt, I have come to appreciate the importance of user protection and security measures implemented by exchanges. For instance, back in 2018, Binance established the Secure Asset Fund for Users, which allocated a portion of its trading fees to safeguard users’ funds. This move left a lasting impression on me and instilled confidence in their commitment to user protection.

Read More

2024-08-07 08:54