Flow Network exploit triggers panic selling, plunges price by 46%

ambcryptoPublished on 2025-12-28Last updated on 2025-12-28

Abstract

Flow Network suffered a $3.9 million exploit on December 27th due to a vulnerability in its execution layer. The attacker laundered funds through multiple bridges and cross-chain protocols. Although user balances remained safe, the attacker’s wallet was identified and frozen with the help of major exchanges and stablecoin issuers. The incident triggered panic selling, causing FLOW’s price to plummet 46% to a new all-time low of $0.097. It later rebounded slightly to $0.117, but selling pressure remained dominant. Key momentum indicators like RSI and DMI reflected strong bearish sentiment, suggesting potential further declines unless buyer interest returns.

As crypto adoption surged and usage reached mainstream, risks associated with the digital space also skyrocketed. In fact, crypto hack incidents have surged significantly in recent years.

In 2025, TRM Labs reported that more than $2.7 billion in crypto was exploited. Chainalysis reported that crypto hacks from North Korea jumped 51% in 2025, increasing from $1.4 billion to $2.02 billion.

With hackers running rampant across the crypto space, the Flow blockchain is the latest victim.

Flow Network exploited for $3.9 million

The Flow Foundation reported that on the 27th of December, an attacker exploited a vulnerability in Flow’s execution layer and moved $3.9 million off the network.

According to Forensic data, the exploited funds were routed through bridges such as Celer, Debridge, Relay, and Stargate. These funds were then actively launded through Thorchain and Chainflip.

Fortunately, the attacker’s wallet was identified, flagged, and a freeze request was submitted to Circle, Tether, and other exchanges.

Thereafter, the network halted all exit paths, effectively closing any further unauthorized activity. Additionally, Upbit and Bithumb suspended FLOW token deposits and withdrawals.

Despite all security incidents, user balances remained unaffected, and all user deposits remained intact.

FLOW hits a new low

The security incident significantly impacted the Flow price action. In fact, Flow [FLOW] plummeted 46%, dropping from $0.17 to a new all-time low of $0.097, then rebounded.

At press time, FLOW traded at $0.117, down 32.54% on the daily charts. At the same time, market cap dropped from $284 million to $164 million, reflecting massive capital outflows.

What caused the price drop?

Following the security incident, holders and traders panicked and began aggressive dumping. According to Coinalyze data, sellers dominated Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase.

The altcoin saw 405 million in Sell Volume compared to 382 million in Buy Volume, resulting in a 23 million Sell Bull Delta, indicating aggressive selling.

Can the market recover from the slip?

FLOW plummeted as holders and market participants panicked and dumped their holdings after a security breach, fearing more losses.

As a result, downward pressure intensified as sellers dominated the market, as evidenced by the Directional Movement Index (DMI). This indicator dropped to 5, reflecting strong downside momentum.

At the same time, its Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropped from 29 to 19, slipping deeper into oversold territory.

Such a drop in these two momentum indicators suggested a weakened market and a higher likelihood of continuation of the bearish trend.

Therefore, if the fear witnessed in the market persists, FLOW could drop again and likely breach $0.1 support level.

However, if the slip attracts discount buyers, the recovery path could hold, and FLOW could reclaim pre-hack levels around $0.17.


Final Thoughts

  • An attacker exploited a vulnerability in Flow’s execution layer and moved $3.9 million off the network.
  • FLOW token plummeted 46% to a new low of $0.097, then rebounded to $0.1.

Related Questions

QWhat was the total amount exploited from the Flow Network and through which bridges were the funds routed?

AThe Flow Network was exploited for $3.9 million. The funds were routed through bridges such as Celer, Debridge, Relay, and Stargate.

QWhat immediate actions were taken by the Flow Foundation and exchanges after the exploit was discovered?

AThe Flow Foundation identified and flagged the attacker's wallet, submitted freeze requests to Circle and Tether, and halted all exit paths. Exchanges Upbit and Bithumb suspended FLOW token deposits and withdrawals.

QHow did the FLOW token price react to the security incident, and what was the new all-time low it reached?

AThe FLOW token price plummeted 46%, dropping from $0.17 to a new all-time low of $0.097, before rebounding to $0.117 at the time of the report.

QWhat on-chain data indicated aggressive selling pressure on FLOW following the hack?

AAccording to Coinalyze data, there was a sell volume of 405 million compared to a buy volume of 382 million, resulting in a 23 million sell bull delta, which indicated aggressive selling.

QWhat do the Directional Movement Index (DMI) and Relative Strength Index (RSI) values suggest about FLOW's market momentum post-exploit?

AThe DMI dropped to 5, reflecting strong downside momentum, and the RSI dropped from 29 to 19, slipping deeper into oversold territory. This suggested a weakened market and a higher likelihood of the bearish trend continuing.

Related Reads

iQiyi Is Too Impatient

The article "iQiyi Is Too Impatient" discusses the controversy surrounding the Chinese streaming platform IQiyi's recent announcement of an "AI Actor Library" during its 2026 World Conference. IQiyi claimed over 100 actors, including well-known names like Zhang Ruoyun and Yu Hewei, had joined the initiative. CEO Gong Yu suggested AI could enable actors to "star in 14 dramas a year instead of 4" and that "live-action filming might become a world cultural heritage." The announcement quickly sparked backlash. Multiple actors named in the list issued urgent statements denying they had signed any AI-related authorization agreements. This forced IQiyi to clarify that inclusion in the library only indicated a willingness to *consider* AI projects, with separate negotiations required for any specific role. The incident, which trended on social media with hashtags like "IQiyi is crazy," is presented as a sign of the company's growing desperation. Facing intense competition from short-video platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, as well as Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, IQiyi's financial performance has weakened, with revenues declining for two consecutive years. The author argues that IQiyi is "too impatient" to tell a compelling AI story to reassure the market, especially as it pursues a listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The piece concludes by outlining three key "AI questions" IQiyi must answer: defining its role as a tool provider versus a content creator, balancing the "coldness" of AI with the human element audiences desire, and properly managing the interests of platforms, actors, and viewers. The core dilemma is that while AI can reduce costs and increase efficiency, it risks creating homogenized, formulaic content and devaluing human performers.

marsbit14m ago

iQiyi Is Too Impatient

marsbit14m ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

How to Buy FLOW

Welcome to HTX.com! We've made purchasing Flow (FLOW) 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 Flow (FLOW) 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 Flow (FLOW)After purchasing your Flow (FLOW), 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 Flow (FLOW)Easily trade Flow (FLOW) 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.

2.8k Total ViewsPublished 2024.03.29Updated 2025.05.06

How to Buy FLOW

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 FLOW (FLOW) are presented below.

活动图片