CrediX hack adds to $3.1 billion DeFi losses in 2025 as multisig failures surge

  • Attacker gained admin access six days before attack.
  • Borrowed $2.64 million after minting fake collateral tokens.
  • Hacken urges real-time AI monitoring for DeFi wallet security.

The decentralised finance sector has once again been shaken by a major exploit—this time targeting CrediX.

The project reportedly lost $4.5 million following an attack enabled by a private key compromise and governance access flaws.

The attacker bridged funds across networks, exploited administrative access, and drained the CrediX Pool using minted collateral tokens.

The incident has added to mounting concerns over the security of multisig wallets, which have accounted for most of the $3.1 billion in crypto losses so far in 2025.

Funds bridged from Sonic to Ethereum as platform taken offline

CrediX has since taken its website offline to prevent further deposits.

Blockchain security firm CertiK confirmed that the stolen funds were transferred from the Sonic network to Ethereum.

Web3 security platform Cyvers Alerts flagged multiple suspicious transactions on Sonic, tracing one address funded via Tornado Cash on Ethereum.

This address bridged funds to Sonic and borrowed approximately $2.64 million from CrediX.

These funds were likely extracted using collateral tokens that the attacker minted after gaining backdoor access.

Admin access and bridge rights enabled token minting exploit

According to SlowMist, an on-chain security provider, the attacker was granted Admin and Bridge roles within the CrediX Multisig Wallet six days prior to the exploit.

These roles were assigned using the protocol’s ACLManager.

With Bridge-level access, the attacker was able to mint collateral tokens through the CrediX Pool, which were then used to borrow assets and ultimately drain the protocol.

This type of exploit underlines a critical risk in decentralised governance models, particularly around role-based access control.

Inadequate oversight in assigning privileges, especially in multisig environments, leaves DeFi protocols highly exposed to internal or external compromise.

Multisig wallets linked to most 2025 crypto losses

The CrediX incident is part of a broader trend this year.

A report by security firm Hacken states that $3.1 billion in crypto was lost in the first half of 2025, with the majority of cases involving multisig wallets.

These wallets were often breached through social engineering tactics, fake interfaces, or misconfigured signer setups.

The largest known attack this year remains the $1.46 billion Bybit exploit, where attackers deceived multisig signers using a spoofed interface.

Real-time threat detection now a priority, says Hacken

In response to the growing frequency of such incidents, Hacken has recommended moving away from traditional one-time security audits.

Instead, the firm advocates for real-time, AI-based security systems that monitor multisig activity and flag abnormal behaviour instantly.

According to Hacken, more than 80% of crypto losses this year stemmed from access control failures.

The firm urges platforms to implement stricter signer training, enforce tighter rule-based automation, and treat interfaces and signers as integral to system security.

Meanwhile, CrediX has said it aims to recover the stolen funds within 24–48 hours, though no further details have been provided at this time.

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Ethereum price prediction: ETH derivatives data shows weak momentum

  • ETH derivatives show weak momentum despite strong ETF inflows.
  • Ethereum’s network activity and TVL continue to decline.
  • Technical analysis hints at long-term upside, but traders stay cautious.

Ethereum (ETH) has seen a strong price surge in recent weeks, gaining more than 54% over the past month and trading at around $3,755 at press time.

However, despite this rally and strong spot ETF inflows, derivatives market data paints a very different picture, casting doubt on whether Ethereum can break through the psychologically significant $4,000 level any time soon.

In essence, the disconnect between bullish institutional inflows and weak derivatives metrics raises several questions for market participants.

Is Ethereum’s recent rally sustainable, or is it merely a reflection of speculative optimism driven by ETF hype?

Furthermore, are investors losing confidence in Ethereum’s network fundamentals amid rising competition from rival blockchains?

Derivatives market tells a cautious tale

While Ethereum’s spot market has been energised by inflows into exchange-traded funds, futures data shows traders are hesitant to commit to leveraged bullish positions.

As of Thursday, the annualised funding rate for ETH perpetual futures had fallen back to 9%, down from 19% earlier in the week, with the ETH OI-weighted funding rate dropping to 0.0043% from 0.0163% on July 21.

ETH OI-weighted funding rate

This suggests waning demand for long positions, even after a near 46% gain in ETH price since early July.

This behaviour is unusual. Historically, rising prices coincide with stronger futures premiums, yet the current trend indicates hesitation.

The 3-month ETH futures premium has also softened slightly to 6%, down from 8% just days ago.

While this still sits within a neutral range, it reveals a reluctance among whales and market makers to bet aggressively on further price appreciation in the near term.

Ethereum network weakness frustrates investors

The cautious tone in derivatives is likely being fueled by stagnant on-chain activity.

Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) dropped to a five-month low of 23.4 million ETH, falling 11% in just 30 days.

That sharp decline comes despite ETH’s rising dollar value and highlights a significant reduction in the volume of assets being deployed within the ecosystem.

In contrast, Solana’s TVL only fell 4% during the same period, while BNB Chain’s TVL rose 15% in native token terms.

These shifts show that competing platforms are either maintaining or growing their utility at a time when Ethereum’s activity appears to be plateauing.

Even more concerning is Ethereum’s decline in dominance among decentralised exchange (DEX) volumes.

According to DefiLlama, Ethereum recorded $81.32 billion in DEX activity over the past month.

Solana surpassed that with $82.9 billion, while BNB Chain led with a staggering $189.2 billion.

These figures highlight that Ethereum is no longer the go-to platform for certain core DeFi activities.

Technical analysis signals a mixed ETH price outlook

Despite lukewarm derivative activity, technical analysts remain divided on Ethereum’s future trajectory.

Popular investor Ivan On Tech has pointed to a symmetrical triangle pattern that could lead to a breakout toward $7,709, more than double the current price.

Meanwhile, another analyst, Mikycrypto Bull, has identified a long-term ascending triangle formation dating back five years, which could theoretically launch ETH as high as $16,700.

Adding to the bullish sentiment is a recent MACD crossover on the monthly chart, a signal that has preceded major rallies in previous cycles.

However, while long-term technicals hint at explosive potential, short-term forecasts are more cautious.

ETH must first break through $4,100 and hold above $3,700 to sustain its upward momentum.

Corporate confidence grows amid market doubts

Institutional and corporate adoption of Ethereum continues to grow.

Firms such as SharpLink Gaming and World Liberty Financial have accumulated substantial ETH reserves in recent months.

SharpLink now holds over 438,000 ETH and actively stakes its assets to generate passive income.

World Liberty Financial has acquired over 77,000 ETH, with recent purchases near $3,294 per coin.

These moves suggest that some institutions are positioning Ethereum as a long-term strategic asset.

Their investments reflect confidence in Ethereum’s evolving role as foundational infrastructure for decentralised applications and finance.

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US SEC announces approval of in-kind redemptions for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs

  • US SEC has approved “in-kind” redemptions for Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, allowing direct BTC/ETH share creation.
  • This move aligns US policy with Hong Kong, which has allowed in-kind redemptions for its crypto ETFs since their launch.
  • SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda had previously criticized the initial cash-only approach, calling it a “troubling precedent.”

In a significant move that brings US policy more in line with international standards, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Wednesday that investors are now permitted to use “in-kind” redemptions for Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

This decision allows institutional traders to create and redeem ETF shares directly in the underlying crypto assets, a shift that is expected to significantly improve market efficiency.

The SEC’s decision lets institutional traders create and redeem ETF shares directly in BTC or ETH, a more efficient process that avoids the need for constant conversions to and from fiat currency.

However, for those watching the global development of crypto products, this is not a novel concept. In Hong Kong, this functionality has been available from the start.

In late 2023, during the early days of the regulatory process to bring crypto ETFs to market (which ultimately launched in April 2024), the city’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) mentioned in a circular that in-kind redemptions would be permitted.

Part of the reason for this was a technical one: in Hong Kong, ETF issuers were required to partner with licensed local crypto exchanges and use approved custody solutions.

This was not the case in Ontario, Canada, which had crypto ETFs first, nor was it initially in the US Additionally, Hong Kong did not experience the same prolonged and intense debate about the status of Ether as a potential security as was seen in the United States.

In contrast, US regulators wrestled for months with a host of concerns, including custody arrangements, anti-money laundering (AML) risks, and the potential for market manipulation.

While the SEC never issued an explicit ban on in-kind redemptions, ETF sponsors were required to remove this feature from their early filings.

The Commission initially favored a cash-only redemption model, viewing it as a more cautious first step, citing untested operational processes and uncertainty over how to securely settle large-scale crypto transfers.

Internal pushback and a ‘troubling precedent’

This cautious stance was not without its critics, even from within the SEC. SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda publicly criticized the agency’s approach during the landmark approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.

He pointed out that commodity-based ETFs, such as those backed by physical gold, routinely use in-kind redemptions and questioned why crypto was being treated so differently.

Uyeda argued that the SEC had failed to adequately explain why it considered cash-only redemptions to be “non-novel,” despite the clear deviation from standard practice for similar exchange-traded products.

He warned that this lack of clear reasoning set a “troubling precedent” for future digital asset regulation. The latest decision to allow in-kind redemptions appears to be a tacit acknowledgment of these and other industry arguments.

The episode ultimately highlights how Hong Kong’s regulator managed to move with greater clarity and cohesion from the very beginning of its crypto ETF journey.

By enabling in-kind redemptions early on and pairing them with strict licensing and custody requirements, the SFC avoided the internal contradictions and policy drift that characterized the initial US rollout.

Broader markets and industry moves

This significant regulatory development comes amidst a mixed backdrop for global markets and continued deal-making in the crypto industry.

  • BTC: Bitcoin is trading above $117,500 after a modest rebound, but its momentum remains weak.

  • The market is contending with persistent ETF outflows, profit-taking from whales near the $118,000 level, and macroeconomic headwinds, including a firm US dollar and hawkish Fed expectations, which continue to limit its upside.

  • ETH: Ethereum is trading above $3,700. “Ethereum has proven in parallel with BTC since its inception to be the second most battle-tested network, and very likely institutions now see Ether the token as a formidable asymmetric bet alongside bitcoin,” said March Zheng, General Partner of Bizantine Capital, in a note to CoinDesk.

  • Gold: Gold rebounded to $3,334 on Tuesday, snapping a four-day losing streak ahead of a key Fed meeting, as traders priced in steady rates despite weak US job data.

  • Nikkei 255: Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed as US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that President Trump’s Friday tariff deadline will proceed as planned, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 flat at the open.

  • S&P 500: US stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 ending a six-day record streak as investors weighed corporate earnings, economic data, and the upcoming Fed rate decision.

In other industry news, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is reportedly set to raise $500 million in a new funding round at a lofty $15 billion valuation, according to a report from The Information on Tuesday, which cited people familiar with the matter.

A spokesperson for Kraken declined to comment on the report. This news underscores the increased investor interest in cryptocurrency-focused companies, as the digital asset class benefits from growing regulatory clarity and rising institutional adoption.

This trend has also prompted other crypto firms, including custody startup BitGo and asset manager Grayscale, to pursue US listings.

Kraken has been actively investing capital to expand into various asset classes and grow its user base, and in March, the company announced it would acquire the futures trading platform NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal.

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Altcoins update: Dogecoin and Injective signal recoveries as Ethereum eyes $4,000

  • DOGE tests key support as technical setups suggest imminent breakouts.
  • A closing above $15 might propel INJ prices to $30.
  • ETH targets $4,000 psychological mark amid increasing institutional interest.

Cryptocurrencies flashed bearish tendencies in the past 24 hours.

With most tokens approaching critical price levels, analysts have shifted attention to digital assets ready for significant rallies amid reversals.

This article checks how Ethereum is setting the tone for an altcoin season as Dogecoin and Injective display key short-term price actions.

Dogecoin resilience after double-bottom breakout

The original meme token remained on investor radar after landing key utility on Gemini’s derivatives market.

The bullish news emerges as DOGE tested the vital resistance around $0.2300 after plunging from last week’s high of $0.27.

While losing this foothold could mean massive declines for the token, analyst Jireon observed an optimistic development on the price charts.

The highlighted chart shows Dogecoin had breached a long-standing trendline that limited its upside action.

A double test of the foothold before a significant bounce validated the double-bottom formation, which often precedes bullish reversals.

Notably, the pattern’s neckline at $0.231 had restricted DOGE’s movements during the consolidation period.

Nevertheless, the coin successfully broke above $0.231 on 25 July, with a massive trading volume of over $4 billion confirming the breakout.

Now, Dogecoin retests the support barrier after the latest pullback.

A rebound from this foothold could trigger considerable rallies towards the obstacle at $0.310.

That would mean a 35% increase from DOGE’s current price.

It might extend past $0.33 towards mid-January highs of $0.41.

However, a closing below $0.2300 will invalidate the optimistic outlook and catalyze notable dips.

Injective at a key juncture

INJ breached the resistance at $15 yesterday amid reinvigorated optimism, fueled by ETF filings, tokenization, and EVM integration.

Cboe has filed for the first-ever Injective staking ETF in the United States, indicating renewed institutional appetite.

While it retraced to trade at $14.87, analyst Ali Martinez highlighted $15 as a crucial breakout point.

The price chart shows INJ breaching a climbing triangle from $15.

The next crucial price levels are $18.95, $21.25, and $25, according to FIB extension levels.

Meanwhile, the altcoin requires significant trading volumes to confirm the breakout and push higher.

Failure to hold $15 would delay the projected reversal and lead to consolidations or price dips.

Ethereum sets sights on $4K after latest rebound

ETH has been the hottest digital token in the past few sessions as trends signal a materializing altcoin season.

Institutions are now dumping Bitcoin for ETH as demand for Ether-based exchange-traded funds soars.

The second-largest crypto hovers at $3,810 after touching YTD peaks above $3,940 on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ethereum retested and secured support at $3,500 last week on Thursday before closing above $3,730 on July 27 and extending to yesterday’s yearly high.

Further push would see Ethereum extend toward the $4,000 psychological zone.

Analysts trust that a candlestick closing beyond this resistance could welcome a full-blown altseason.

@ColinTCrypto expects Ethereum to explore $15,000 – $20,000 this bull cycle.

However, enthusiasts should beware of imminent volatility as the markets anticipate multiple announcements.

Tuesday’s US employment statistics, Fed rate decision, and a possible Crypto Report from the White House on Wednesday would likely shake the cryptocurrency space.

Moreover, Trump’s tariff deadline is on Friday.

These macroeconomic developments could trigger significant fluctuations in the digital assets market in the near term.

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Bitcoin consolidates below $120K; Analysts say Ethereum flows will guide next market move

  • The crypto rally has stalled, with Bitcoin struggling to challenge the $120K level as institutional investors take profit.
  • Institutional ETF inflows into Bitcoin have plunged by 80% this week to just $496 million, a sign of cooling demand.
  • Market focus is now shifting to Ether (ETH), with its capital flows seen as the key to the market’s next move.

The powerful cryptocurrency rally is showing signs of fatigue, with Bitcoin struggling to challenge the $120,000 mark and key indicators pointing to a significant pullback from institutional investors.

As the market enters a tense consolidation phase, observers say the focus is now shifting to Ether (ETH) and whether it has the strength to bring fresh capital back into the fold and reignite the bullish momentum.

After briefly touching new all-time highs last week, the crypto market has entered a period of consolidation, and the underlying data is revealing some cracks in the bullish facade.

Glassnode data highlights a dramatic cooling of institutional interest, with inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs plunging by a staggering 80% this week to just $496 million.

This was accompanied by a sharp decline in ETF trading volume, which fell to $18.7 billion.

Bitcoin’s spot market sentiment is also showing signs of weakening.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI)—a popular technical indicator used to measure whether an asset is overbought or oversold—has been retreating sharply, underscoring a move away from previously overbought levels.

Taken together, these signals point to a clear, albeit perhaps temporary, institutional withdrawal from the market, raising questions about the potential for further downside.

A tense derivatives market: hedging and profit-taking on the rise

Trading firm QCP Capital has noted similar tensions in the derivatives market.

While funding rates for perpetual futures remain elevated at above 15%, suggesting that some traders are still maintaining aggressive long positions, recent flows indicate that large, sophisticated players are actively taking profits and hedging against potential downside.

QCP, in its recent note, pointed out that a major ETH call fly (a complex options strategy) was recently unwound, while sizeable BTC put options were bought for protection.

This is not the kind of market activity that typically supports a fresh leg up in a rally.

Despite these cautionary signals, QCP remains broadly constructive on the market’s outlook.

“Momentum, narrative strength, and macro tailwinds are still on our side,” the firm wrote in a recent update. “Hodlers and institutions will likely buy the dip, as we saw on Friday.”

The Ethereum litmus test: consolidation, capitulation, or the next leg up?

Market maker Enflux, however, isn’t sounding the alarm just yet. The firm views the current market conditions as a period of healthy consolidation, not a sign of impending capitulation.

They note that spot and perpetual futures markets are essentially treading water, not bleeding out.

The key to what comes next, according to Enflux, lies with Ethereum.

“How institutional ETH flows evolve, and whether capital re-engages with alts, would likely guide the next leg of market structure,” the firm said in a note to CoinDesk.

Ethereum now finds itself at the center of these diverging perspectives.

If institutional investors, who have been stepping back from Bitcoin, decide to rotate their capital back into the crypto market through ETH, it could reignite the altcoin cycle and lift the entire market.

If not, this period of consolidation could harden into something more prolonged and painful.

For now, the rally has paused. Glassnode sees fragility in the current market structure. Enflux sees neutrality. QCP sees a hedged optimism.

But all seem to agree that the next major breakout—or breakdown—will likely be sparked by how capital flows into and out of Ethereum materialize in the coming days and weeks.

Broader market snapshot

  • BTC: Bitcoin is trading at $118,000, consolidating between channel support at $114,000 and resistance near its all-time high of $123,000.

  • A recent liquidity sweep below $116,000 and renewed supply from a reactivated whale wallet have stalled its bullish momentum, according to CoinDesk’s market insights bot.

  • ETH: Ethereum is trading at $3,783, holding a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern that technically targets the $4,300 level.

  • However, neutral funding rates near multi-year resistance suggest trader caution, even as institutional accumulation continues.

  • Gold: Gold fell to a near three-week low, with spot prices down 0.7% to $3,313.57.

  • A recent US-EU trade deal has boosted risk sentiment and temporarily reduced the demand for safe-haven assets ahead of a busy week for corporate earnings and a key US Federal Reserve meeting.

  • Nikkei 225: Asian markets opened lower, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 0.61% as traders adopted a wait-and-see mode to determine if more regional trade deals can be struck.

  • S&P 500: The S&P 500 ended Monday’s session nearly flat, as the positive news of a US-EU trade deal failed to ignite a significant new rally in U.S. equities.

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