British Crypto Exchange Lykke Halts Amid $22M Suspected Hack

Kelvin Munene Murithi
June 11, 2024
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CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
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Highlights

  • Lykke halts trading after a $22M hack, triggering significant crypto community disruptions.
  • Ether from Lykke hack quickly converted to DAI to obscure transaction trail.
  • UwU Lend loses $19.3M in minutes, highlighting urgent need for DeFi security enhancements.

UK cryptocurrency exchange Lykke has suspended trading services after $22 million was seemingly stolen in a hack.

This disruption in the crypto community is a cause of concern as to the security measures being implemented in digital currency exchanges.

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Crypto Exchange Lykke Halts Amid $22M Suspected Hack

Lykke disclosed “unauthorised access” to its platform, which came to light through the popular web investigator SomaXBT. This incident led to $22 million in suspicious outflows, according to Taylor Monahan, a MetaMask developer and a crypto defense analyst.

Interestingly, the breach happened only a few days after the initial indications of unauthorized access were noticed, prompting the exchange to suspend all trading activities on the platform.

The stolen money was also reported to include a huge quantity of Bitcoin, and other Altcoins such as Ether, Litecoins, and Bitcoin Cash among other virtual money as highlighted by onchain data.

After the hack, the stolen Ether was exchanged for DAI stablecoin in an effort to clean the funds through various accounts, a typical approach employed by hackers to launder the money.

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Response and Reactions to the Hack

Lykke was quick to respond to the situation as it announced that its platform was under maintenance while at the same time, ensuring its customers that their funds were safe, even though many complained of having empty account balances. In an email sent to clients, Richard Olsen, CEO of Lykke, acknowledged the incident and explained that the company has made every effort to investigate the security breach. To calm the customers, Olsen said,

“Your funds are safe because Lykke is a diversified business that has sufficient capital.”

However, this is not the first time that the cryptocurrency industry has been targeted by hackers. Another crypto exchange, DMM Bitcoin, revealed that it had been hacked and lost $320 million just weeks before, stressing the security issues that plague the digital asset sector.

In addition, only a few hours ago, UwU Lend Protocol, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, was also hacked and lost $19.3 million in digital assets stolen within just minutes. These incidents underscore the pressing need for enhanced security measures across digital platforms.

Read Also: Uniswap (UNI) Shoots 6% Amid Major Acquisition Update

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Kelvin Munene is a crypto and finance journalist with over 5 years of experience, offering in-depth market analysis and expert commentary . With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Actuarial Science from Mount Kenya University, Kelvin is known for his meticulous research and strong writing skills, particularly in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and financial markets. His work has been featured across top industry publications such as Coingape, Cryptobasic, MetaNews, Cryptotimes, Coinedition, TheCoinrepublic, Cryptotale, and Analytics Insight among others, where he consistently provides timely updates and insightful content. Kelvin’s focus lies in uncovering emerging trends in the crypto space, delivering factual and data-driven analyses that help readers make informed decisions. His expertise extends across market cycles, technological innovations, and regulatory shifts that shape the crypto landscape. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelvin has a passion for chess, traveling, and exploring new adventures.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.