Polkadot Bridge Hack and Bithumb Bitcoin Error Shake Crypto Markets -

CryptoMonday, April 13, 2026

3 articles analyzed by AI / 396 total

Key points

•A hacker exploited a Polkadot bridge on Ethereum to mint an unauthorized $1.1 billion in DOT tokens but was only able to cash out $237,000, exposing critical security risks in cross-chain bridges and raising concerns over DeFi infrastructure vulnerabilities.[Decrypt]
•In response to an unprecedented $43 billion mishap at Bithumb, where 620,000 Bitcoin were erroneously distributed to users, South Korean regulators mandated circuit breakers for all crypto exchanges to curb operational risks and enhance market protections.[Blockonomi]

Relevant articles

Crypto Hacker Mints $1.1 Billion in Polkadot via Ethereum Bridge, But Can Only Cash Out $237K

A hacker exploited a Polkadot (DOT) bridge on Ethereum, minting $1.1 billion in DOT tokens but only successfully cashing out $237,000. This incident highlights a significant security vulnerability in cross-chain bridge infrastructure within the crypto ecosystem.

Decrypt · 4/13/2026, 4:09:57 PM

South Korea Introduces Circuit Breakers Following Bithumb’s $43 Billion Crypto Blunder

Following a massive $43 billion error at South Korean exchange Bithumb, where 620,000 Bitcoin were mistakenly sent to users, South Korea introduced circuit breakers for crypto exchanges. This regulatory move aims to prevent similar large-scale operational errors and protect market stability.

Blockonomi · 4/13/2026, 11:07:47 AM