MetaWin Loses $4 Million in Online Casino Hack
A serious breach hit the online casino platform MetaWin on 3 November 2024, resulting in the loss of approximately $4 million from its hot wallets.
The attack has raised alarms across the crypto community as it highlights vulnerabilities within online platforms.
In a statement regarding the incident, CEO Richard “Skel” Skelhorn confirmed that the funds have since been "topped off," signalling that the company has managed to replenish the lost assets.
Frictionless Withdrawals Exploited
The hacker accessed MetaWin’s hot wallets through a loophole in the platform's frictionless withdrawal system, prompting immediate action to halt all withdrawals.
Despite the significant financial loss, Skel assured users that approximately 95% of customers have had their withdrawal capabilities restored as the situation stabilised.
Source: ZackXBT
Investigation Underway
Onchain investigator ZackXBT revealed that they were moved to both KuCoin and a nested service on HitBTC.
He uncovered over 115 addresses linked to the perpetrator, further complicating the case.
Skel remarked,
“We’re not gonna dwell on it. It’s in the hands of the feds now… we will make some internal adjustments to keep the players happy but the bad actors at bay.”
The Bigger Picture of Crypto Vulnerabilities
This incident is just one in a series of high-profile security breaches affecting the cryptocurrency sector.
Just weeks earlier, on 16 October, Radiant Capital fell victim to a major exploit that resulted in the theft of $58 million.
This attack was enabled by hackers obtaining access to private keys essential for signing transactions from the platform’s multi-signature wallet.
Shortly after that, another platform, the M2 exchange, reported a breach that led to a $13 million loss through compromised hot wallets.
Growing Concerns About Security in the Crypto Space
The frequency of these attacks has led to increased scrutiny of security measures within the crypto industry.
A report from CertiK Alert revealed that losses from exploits reached approximately $127 million in October 2024, highlighting the substantial impact of such incidents compared to other types of security breaches.
With incidents like MetaWin’s hack, the need for robust security protocols has never been more pressing, especially as more users engage with online gambling and cryptocurrency platforms.
The rapid evolution of these technologies necessitates continuous vigilance to safeguard against malicious actors in the digital landscape.