Allbridge Suspends Core Protocol After $1.65M Solana Flash Loan Exploit

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-07-20Last updated on 2026-07-20

Abstract

Cross-chain protocol AllBridge Core suspended operations after suffering a $1.65 million flash loan exploit on its Solana deployment. The attacker manipulated a stablecoin pool's exchange rate using a $1.12 million USDC loan from Kamino, creating a price imbalance to perform a profitable arbitrage. Stolen funds were moved to Ethereum via privacy pools. This is the protocol's second such attack, following a $573,000 exploit in April 2023. The suspension causes operational delays, reduces cross-chain liquidity, and highlights persistent security vulnerabilities in bridge protocols and automated market maker systems.

Cross-chain platform AllBridge Core shut down its operations following a security issue that resulted in the loss of $1.65 million on Sunday. The hack specifically occurred within the AllBridge Core deployment on the Solana blockchain. The attacker transferred the funds stolen via the bridge from Solana to the Ethereum blockchain. The hacker swiftly transferred the stolen funds through privacy pools to cover his tracks.

The perpetrator executed a well-thought-out flash-loan strategy to influence the exchange rate in the pool for stablecoins. As per on-chain data, the hacker took out a loan of $1.12 million in USDC from the lending platform Kamino. Quick switching between USDC and USDT led to a price imbalance within the pool balance. This price imbalance created a favorable arbitrage opportunity for the perpetrator.

The exploiter then took the liquidity from the pool at exaggerated prices to gain huge profits. The profit earned after repayment of the Kamino loan was retained by the perpetrator as loot. The entire trade reveals major flaws in the mathematical equation of the automated market maker pricing system.

Recurrent Cross-Chain Bridge Attacks

This particular event marks the second instance of an attack on Allbridge Core via a flash loan hack, after a previous $573,000 heist targeting its BNB Chain pools in April 2023. In addition, pausing the bridge would mean that there are operational delays, with the process of sending funds across chains coming to a temporary halt. This would have implications not only for trading operations but would reduce the possibility of the liquidity needed by traders and institutions being moved across.

At the same time, there is a threat that long-term protocol outages will mean the loss of revenue streams due to reduced transactions, thus making users and liquidity providers consider alternative means of bridging. Finally, security pauses in cross-chain protocols act as a reminder about the security challenges associated with liquidity pools, thus requiring investors to change their risk management strategy for bridges.

Highlighted Crypto News:
FTX Bankruptcy Estate Plans $900 Million Distribution, Total Payouts Hit $10 Billion

TagsBlockchainCORECore chainCryptocurrencyETHEREUMEthereum (ETH)SolanaSolana (SOL)

Trending Cryptos

Related Questions

QWhat was the main action taken by Allbridge Core after the security incident?

AAllbridge Core shut down its operations, suspending its core protocol following the exploit.

QWhat type of attack strategy did the hacker use in the Allbridge exploit?

AThe hacker executed a flash loan strategy, specifically taking out a large USDC loan from the Kamino lending platform on Solana.

QHow did the attacker's actions create an opportunity for profit?

ABy quickly swapping between USDC and USDT, the attacker created a price imbalance in the liquidity pool, which allowed them to withdraw liquidity at exaggerated prices for a large profit after repaying the flash loan.

QWhat does the article mention about previous similar incidents involving Allbridge?

AThe article states this is the second flash loan attack on Allbridge Core, with a previous heist of $573,000 targeting its BNB Chain pools in April 2023.

QWhat are some potential consequences of a core protocol being paused, as mentioned in the article?

AConsequences include operational delays for cross-chain transfers, reduced liquidity movement for traders and institutions, potential loss of revenue from reduced transactions, and users possibly seeking alternative bridging solutions.

Related Reads

Bernstein Analysis: Can the $142 Billion Long-Term Order Hold Up the Memory Cycle?

Bernstein revisits long-term agreements (LTAs) in the memory industry, highlighting new contracts with purchase commitments, minimum prices, and financial guarantees signed by Micron and SanDisk. These aim to provide an earnings floor for the coming years. Micron has 16 strategic customer agreements, with 14 representing approximately $100 billion in minimum revenue and about $22 billion in cash deposits/commitments. SanDisk has contracts for around $42 billion in minimum revenue and over $11 billion in guarantees. Combined, these ~$33 billion in guarantees make it more costly for major clients to walk away. However, Bernstein models that the potential revenue needing protection over 3-5 years is around $5.2 trillion. The existing guarantees thus cover only about 0.6% of that scale. While LTAs provide a cushion, they cannot fully shield profits in a severe downturn, as clients may still find it cheaper to breach contracts if spot prices fall deeply below floor prices. LTAs are most suitable for large, credit-worthy customers like U.S. cloud service providers with stable, high-volume AI infrastructure needs. Consumer segments (phones, PCs) and some Chinese clients are less likely to adopt them, leaving an estimated 30-50% of the DRAM/NAND market exposed to spot price volatility. AI demand (e.g., HBM for training, storage for inference) supports higher valuations and makes LTAs more attractive for locking in high-demand customers. Yet, Bernstein stresses that LTAs soften, but do not eliminate, the memory cycle. Their true test will come in the next downturn, revealing whether clients honor contracts and whether guarantees provide sufficient pain to maintain supplier discipline.

marsbit25m ago

Bernstein Analysis: Can the $142 Billion Long-Term Order Hold Up the Memory Cycle?

marsbit25m ago

Dialogue with Jia Hang | Looking Back at Two Decades of Chinese Payment Going Global

**Summary: A Conversation with Jia Hang on Two Decades of China's Payment Globalization** Jia Hang, a veteran with over twenty years in payments, reflects on China's attempts to build a global payment network through three key phases: UnionPay (card networks), Alipay+ (digital wallets), and now, stablecoins. His journey began at UnionPay International, aiming to establish China's card network abroad. While successful in following Chinese tourists ("where Chinese go, UnionPay goes"), it struggled to achieve true global scale. The core lesson: card networks like Visa/Mastercard's unassailable advantage isn't just technical standards, but their deeply entrenched **governance and profit-sharing models** that create powerful network effects. Competing as the "same species" is nearly impossible. At Ant Group, he led Alipay+, a strategy to bypass card networks by interconnecting local e-wallets worldwide. While innovative, it faced a similar ceiling. Mobile QR payments and card swipes were essentially **the same species competing for the same pie**, lacking a disruptive value proposition for users or a sustainable new incentive model to replace the card networks' established flywheel. Today, at Singapore's DCS, Jia focuses on stablecoin-based payments. He argues stablecoins represent a fundamental shift. They are not competing with Visa for consumer payments but challenging the **traditional banking and account system for value movement**. Products like "U Cards" (stablecoin-linked payment cards) are transitional, leveraging existing card networks for acceptance while building new rails. The real potential lies in stablecoins enabling seamless, low-cost global value transfer, potentially reorganizing the financial infrastructure around **accounts rather than cards**. Jia believes stablecoin adoption for local retail payments, cross-border transactions, and as high-yield savings vehicles is becoming irreversible. This could gradually reduce reliance on traditional fiat channels, especially in regions with weak currencies or capital controls. The quest for the "next global payment network" continues, now centered on whether stablecoins can successfully bridge Web2 and Web3, establish new governance, and create compelling user value beyond mere cost reduction.

marsbit49m ago

Dialogue with Jia Hang | Looking Back at Two Decades of Chinese Payment Going Global

marsbit49m ago

Circle's Stock Price Plunges 76%, Hong Kong Dollar Stablecoin Set to Launch Within Two Weeks

Circle's stock price has plunged approximately 76% from its 2023 peak, reflecting a major market revaluation. Despite this, Circle President Heath Tarbert emphasized the company's focus on long-term execution and its dominant position with USDC's $73 billion circulation across 34 blockchains. The competitive landscape is intensifying. A new consortium-backed stablecoin, Open USD, is attempting to challenge incumbents by sharing reserve yields with partners. More significantly, Visa's new stablecoin platform, initially supporting Open USD while also being compatible with USDC, could erode Circle's network effects. In response, Circle is expanding into real-world payments through partnerships like the one with Japan's JCB. Separately, Tether (USDT) faces a two-year compliance window under new U.S. regulations, requiring it to adjust its reserve composition away from assets like Bitcoin and loans towards cash and U.S. Treasuries. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Standard Chartered-backed fintech firm Dian Dian is poised to launch a licensed HKD-pegged stablecoin (HKDAP), moving the industry into a phase where the real test is integrating licensed stablecoins into actual payment flows and corporate treasury systems. The sharp decline in Circle's stock underscores a broader shift: the stablecoin market is moving from a winner-takes-all dynamic to a multi-player competitive arena where execution, compliance, and real-world utility are becoming paramount.

marsbit49m ago

Circle's Stock Price Plunges 76%, Hong Kong Dollar Stablecoin Set to Launch Within Two Weeks

marsbit49m ago

Trading

Spot

Hot Articles

How to Buy CORE

Welcome to HTX.com! We've made purchasing CORE (CORE) simple and convenient. Follow our step-by-step guide to embark on your crypto journey.Step 1: Create Your HTX AccountUse your email or phone number to sign up for a free account on HTX. Experience a hassle-free registration journey and unlock all features.Get My AccountStep 2: Go to Buy Crypto and Choose Your Payment MethodCredit/Debit Card: Use your Visa or Mastercard to buy CORE (CORE) instantly.Balance: Use funds from your HTX account balance to trade seamlessly.Third Parties: We've added popular payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay to enhance convenience.P2P: Trade directly with other users on HTX.Over-the-Counter (OTC): We offer tailor-made services and competitive exchange rates for traders.Step 3: Store Your CORE (CORE)After purchasing your CORE (CORE), store it in your HTX account. Alternatively, you can send it elsewhere via blockchain transfer or use it to trade other cryptocurrencies.Step 4: Trade CORE (CORE)Easily trade CORE (CORE) on HTX's spot market. Simply access your account, select your trading pair, execute your trades, and monitor in real-time. We offer a user-friendly experience for both beginners and seasoned traders.

5.9k Total ViewsPublished 2024.03.29Updated 2026.06.02

How to Buy CORE

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of CORE (CORE) are presented below.

活动图片