Major Theft At Friend.Tech Protocol Raises Doubts About Decentralization

Bhushan Akolkar
October 3, 2023
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Over the past few days, some users have reported that their accounts on Friend.tech have been hacked and their assets stolen. While Friend.tech has promoted itself as a decentralized social platform, based on the Coinbase Base platform, the recent developments have raised doubts over its centralization.

The founder of SlowMist highlights that FT offers centralized services with registration options such as phone number, email, or Apple account, all without two-factor authentication (2FA). These less secure methods have attracted the attention of malicious attackers.

SIM Swap Attacks Through Friend.tech

Another user Daren shared an unpleasant experience with Friend.Tech! Daren stated that he fell victim to a SIM swap attack and lost 22 ETH through @friendtech. The attacker sold all 34 of his owned keys, affecting those who held them, and also liquidated the remaining ETH in his wallet.

He cautions that if your Twitter account is linked to your real name, your phone number can be discovered, making you vulnerable to such attacks. Daren mentioned receiving numerous phone calls, prompting him to put his phone on silent. Unfortunately, this caused him to miss Verizon’s notification about an attempted account access, and the attack unfolded swiftly.

As multiple cases of SIM swaps and hacks through Friend.tech appear, some have suggested users use separate phones while exploring the Friend.tech platform.

Friend.tech Protocol Growth

DeFi protocol Friend.tech has received a strong response since its launch around mid-August. As per the latest report, the decentralized social platform clocked a revenue of over 10,000 ETH.

Another significant achievement is the substantial increase in total value locked (TVL) within the Friend.tech DeFi protocol, now surpassing 30,000 ETH and reaching 30,165 ETH. This clearly demonstrates the growing trust and dedication of the protocol’s participants.

In addition to traditional performance metrics, Friend Tech’s sniper bots are quietly emerging as the unsung heroes of the platform. With over 450 of them in operation, these bots have generated profits exceeding $5.9 million, accounting for an impressive 34% of the total creator’s revenue. Their success underscores the effectiveness of Friend Tech’s algorithms and highlights the potential of automated trading solutions within the DeFi sector.

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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.
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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
Bhushan is a seasoned crypto writer with over eight years of experience spanning more than 10,000 contributions across multiple platforms like CoinGape, CoinSpeaker, Bitcoinist, Crypto News Flash, and others. Being a Fintech enthusiast, he loves reporting across Crypto, Blockchain, DeFi, Global Macros with a keen understanding in financial markets. 

He is committed to continuous learning and stays motivated by sharing the knowledge he acquires. In his free time, Bhushan enjoys reading thriller fiction novels and occasionally explores his culinary skills. Bhushan has a bachelors degree in electronics engineering, however, his interest in finance and economics drives him to crypto and blockchain.
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.