The dawn of 2024 witnessed a loud start for the cryptocurrency landscape as three significant hacks rattled the digital asset world, resulting in losses exceeding $89 million. From breaches in bridges to vulnerabilities in lending protocols, this quick guide unveils the details of each attack, providing essential insights to help navigate the crypto realm with vigilance.

Orbit Bridge Breach: A Startling $82M Incident

At the outset of 2024, a shocking exploit surfaced with an $81.7 million breach on Orbit Chain‘s bridging service, Orbit Bridge. On New Year’s Eve, hackers compromised 7 of 10 multi-sig signers, initiating the attack with 10 ETH from TornadoCash. The breach unfolded through five separate transactions, transferring substantial sums in Tether, USD Coin, Ether, Wrapped Bitcoin, and DAI to undisclosed wallets. This sophisticated maneuver raised concerns about the security of multi-sig setups and the vulnerability of prominent services.

Radiant Capital’s Challenge: A $4.5M Breach Exposed

Radiant Capital, a cross-chain lending protocol, faced a setback as it suspended its lending and borrowing markets on Arbitrum due to a $4.5 million exploit linked to one of its USDC Coin markets. The attacker manipulated the index parameter, exploiting a rounding issue in calculations that resulted in a cumulative precision error. This incident highlights the importance of robust smart contract auditing to detect and rectify potential vulnerabilities.

Gamma Strategies’ Strategy: A $3.4M Retrieval Effort

In a unique turn of events, Gamma Strategies, specializing in Ethereum-based liquidity management, responded to its $3.4 million exploit on January 4th by engaging directly with the attacker. Opting for a bounty negotiation approach, the company sought to recover the misappropriated digital assets. This unconventional strategy raises questions about the evolving dynamics between project teams and hackers in the crypto space.

As the crypto community grapples with the aftermath of these high-profile breaches, vigilance and caution are paramount. The incidents underscore the need for continuous improvements in security measures, auditing practices, and collaborative efforts within the industry. Understanding the intricacies of each attack equips stakeholders with valuable insights to fortify defenses and foster a more resilient crypto ecosystem.