BigONE hacked for $27 million in a shocking hot wallet attack that shook the crypto world today.
The breach was discovered in the early hours of July 16, as the exchange detected unusual fund movements. Soon after, the team confirmed a third-party attack that bypassed its systems.
The attackers made off with a devastating haul. In total, 120 BTC, 350 ETH, 1,800 SOL, and over 8.54 million USDT were stolen. These assets were spread across four networks and included eight additional tokens like DOGE, SHIB, and CELR. Blockchain security firm SlowMist traced the cause to a supply chain attack that compromised BigONE’s production network.
Supply chain breach exposes security gaps
This wasn’t just another hot wallet exploit. The hackers altered the exchange’s operational logic, including account and risk control servers. This allowed them to withdraw funds without triggering the usual security alarms. However, no private keys were leaked, according to BigONE and SlowMist.
Supply chain attacks are especially dangerous. They allow attackers to slip in malicious code during software updates or through third-party services. This breach highlights why crypto exchanges must audit and test every integration deeply. Even when the core wallet remains untouched, supporting infrastructure can be an Achilles heel.
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BigONE hacked for $27 million but vows full reimbursement
In response, BigONE said it has already taken full control of the situation. The attack vector was isolated, and systems are being fortified. The exchange committed to covering all user losses from its internal security reserves. Services are expected to resume within hours, according to their official statement.
Despite BigONE’s damage control, not everyone is sympathetic. Onchain investigator ZachXBT criticized the exchange for its alleged involvement in shady crypto flows. He pointed to volumes linked to romance scams and fraudulent schemes, stating he felt no pity for the team.
Can centralized exchanges recover user trust?
BigONE, founded in 2017 and now based in Seychelles, processed $684 million in trades in just 24 hours, per CoinGecko. This attack—and BigONE’s swift response—put a spotlight on centralized exchange risk. As more traders look toward decentralized platforms, the incident raises new questions: can centralized exchanges maintain trust in the age of blockchain transparency?