{"id":590520,"date":"2026-04-19T08:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/?p=590520"},"modified":"2026-04-19T05:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T09:40:27","slug":"biggest-defi-hack-of-2026-294mln-kelpdao-exploit-hits-20-chains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/biggest-defi-hack-of-2026-294mln-kelpdao-exploit-hits-20-chains\/","title":{"rendered":"Biggest DeFi hack of 2026? $294mln KelpDAO exploit hits 20+ chains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the 19th of April, Kelp, a liquid staking protocol with $1.57 billion in total value locked (TVL), was exploited, with $294 million lost in minutes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As expected, in this attack, KelpDAO Restaked ETH (RSETH) was majorly compromised. As per Lookonchain, the illicit actor minted 116,500 RSETH, which is equal to $294 million, and sold those as collateral to borrow 106,467 ETH.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590534\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590534\" style=\"width: 1444px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590534 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked.png\" alt=\"Kelp DAO hacked\" width=\"1444\" height=\"646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked.png 1444w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked-1024x458.png 1024w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked-768x344.png 768w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kelp-DAO-hacked-1200x537.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1444px) 100vw, 1444px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590534\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Arkham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>How did LayerZero act as a secret player?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though Kelp was able to pause the protocol within 46 minutes, the damage had already become irreversible.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590533\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steps-taken-by-Kelp.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590533 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steps-taken-by-Kelp.png\" alt=\"Steps taken by Kelp\" width=\"790\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steps-taken-by-Kelp.png 790w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steps-taken-by-Kelp-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Steps-taken-by-Kelp-768x439.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Kelp\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, a more in-depth analysis of the exploit shed light on the fact that LayerZero\u2014a cross-chain messaging layer\u2014acted as a bridge. Deluding LayerZero with valid instructions, the wrongdoer was capable of receiving 116,500 rsETH from Kelp\u2019s bridge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, LayerZero\u2019s token, <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/predictions\/layerzero-price-prediction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ZRO<\/a>, too fell by over 22% in the past 24 hours as it was changing hands at $1.52. This was a major drop from trading above $2 just 2 days ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the team at LayerZero came forward to inform the victims that they have been \u200b\u200bin \u201cactive remediation with the KelpDAO team.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590535\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590535\" style=\"width: 780px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LayerZero-steps-taken.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590535 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LayerZero-steps-taken.webp\" alt=\"LayerZero steps taken\" width=\"780\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LayerZero-steps-taken.webp 780w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LayerZero-steps-taken-300x145.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LayerZero-steps-taken-768x372.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: LayerZero\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Needless to say, this attack caused a multifold impact, as a whale holding ZRO long on Hyperliquid lost $2.88 million in liquidation. Though the whale is still holding the position, it is already bearing a loss of $750,000, resulting in an overall loss of 428.98 million.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590532\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590532\" style=\"width: 2560px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590532 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-scaled.webp\" alt=\"ZRO whales act on\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-300x128.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-1024x437.webp 1024w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-768x328.webp 768w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-1536x656.webp 1536w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-2048x874.webp 2048w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ZRO-whales-act-on-1200x512.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Onchain Lens\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Widespread impact and reactiobs <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many in the crypto community are calling this the biggest DeFi hack of 2026, which is true given the rsETH exists across over 20 blockchains like Ethereum L2s. Now, since users must have run to immediately redeem or sell their rsETH, this might have put pressure on the remaining funds on <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/predictions\/ethereum-price-prediction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ethereum [ETH]<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This liquidity crisis resulted in many protocols freezing their platforms to avoid further damage. The Aave team froze Aave V3 and Aave V4, and its token <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/predictions\/aave-price-prediction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AAVE<\/a> saw a drop of over 20% in the past 24 hours as it was trading at $92.06.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590530\" style=\"width: 788px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-froze.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590530 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-froze.webp\" alt=\"Aave froze\" width=\"788\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-froze.webp 788w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-froze-300x219.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-froze-768x561.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Aave\/ X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Simultaneously, the whales holding AAVE also started dumping the token as soon as the incident came into the limelight.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590531\" style=\"width: 776px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-whales-dumping.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590531 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-whales-dumping.webp\" alt=\"Aave whales dumping\" width=\"776\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-whales-dumping.webp 776w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-whales-dumping-300x174.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Aave-whales-dumping-768x445.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 776px) 100vw, 776px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Lookonchain\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/predictions\/ethena-price-prediction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ethena [ENA]<\/a> having &#8216;no exposure to the rsETH exploit,&#8217; the team still paused their LayerZero OFT bridges from the Ethereum mainnet as an \u2018abundance of caution.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590529\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590529\" style=\"width: 792px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ethena-paused-activity.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590529 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ethena-paused-activity.webp\" alt=\"Ethena paused activity\" width=\"792\" height=\"718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ethena-paused-activity.webp 792w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ethena-paused-activity-300x272.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Ethena-paused-activity-768x696.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Ethena\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This resulted in the token seeing a modest loss of over 3% as compared to others.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Needless to say, Lido Finance was no exception as they followed the same approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_590528\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-590528\" style=\"width: 786px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lido-froze.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-590528 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lido-froze.webp\" alt=\"Lido froze\" width=\"786\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lido-froze.webp 786w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lido-froze-300x147.webp 300w, https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Lido-froze-768x377.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-590528\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Lido\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other attacks that shook the crypto world in 2026 <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All in all, over the last 2 weeks, more than $600 million was stolen from DeFi across over 10 different protocols. The recent ones included <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/rhea-finance-revises-exploit-losses-to-18-4m-confirms-slippage-flaw-as-funds-partially-recovered\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rhea Finance<\/a> witnessing an $18.4 million exploit tied to a slippage flaw. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondly, <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/cow-swap-frontend-flagged-in-potential-attack-users-warned-to-avoid-platform\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CoW Swap<\/a> faced a front-end attack, and <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/beyond-code-errors-how-drift-protocols-285mln-drain-shifts-defi-security-bar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drift Protocol<\/a> faced a $285 million drain. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/zerion-claims-no-user-funds-were-affected-as-employee-loses-100k-in-social-engineering-attack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zerion<\/a> faced a $100K loss from the &#8216;internal company hot wallets,&#8217; and the list goes on. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taken together, these highlight how illicit actors are expanding their operational footprint in and around crypto.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Summary <\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within 46 minutes, Kelp<\/span><\/em><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAO was quick to pause all activity to avoid further damage. <\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple DeFi protocols paused activities on their platform regardless of facing any major losses.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How did a dubious cross-chain activity result in a loss of over $290 million? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":590536,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,950,32,66,3,4,20],"tags":[6427],"class_list":["post-590520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-altcoins-news","category-defi","category-ethereum-news","category-new-news","category-news","category-social","category-trading-view","tag-ambcrypto"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Biggest DeFi hack of 2026? $294mln KelpDAO exploit hits 20+ chains - AMBCrypto<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With LayerZero acting as a bridge, a whale holding $ZRO faced a loss of $750K, with the token declining by over 22% in the past 24 hours.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ambcrypto.com\/biggest-defi-hack-of-2026-294mln-kelpdao-exploit-hits-20-chains\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Biggest DeFi hack of 2026? 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