Share this article

Tether Blacklists Ethereum Address Linked to Multichain Hack

The address, containing more than $715,000 of USDT stablecoins, traces back to hackers who stole $3 million from Multichain users.

Updated May 11, 2023, 4:58 p.m. Published Feb 11, 2022, 6:16 p.m.
(Erin Mckenna/Unsplash)
(Erin Mckenna/Unsplash)
  • Stablecoin issuer Tether has frozen an Ethereum address holding over $715,000 worth of USDT, according to data from block explorer site Etherscan.
  • The address traces back to hackers who stole $3 million in cryptocurrency on the cross-chain bridge Multichain nearly a month ago, according to Etherscan's labeling of transactions involving the wallet as well as a CoinDesk analysis.
  • Whoever controls the address will not be able to move funds so long as they are frozen.
  • The hack on Multichain was made possible by a security vulnerability, which the team behind the project warned users about in January.
  • Tether did not immediately respond to a request for comment
  • Three addresses with over $160 million in USDT were frozen in mid-January at the request of law enforcement.
  • Tether, which issues tokens on several blockchains, began blacklisting addresses following a 2017 breach in which the firm said $30 million of USDT was stolen.

UPDATE (Feb. 11, 18:56 UTC): Adds link to first bullet point and attribution to second.

jwp-player-placeholder
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters


More For You

KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

16:9 Image

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.

More For You

Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing

Stacked gold bars (Scottsdale Mint/Unsplash/Modified by CoinDesk)

Bitcoin’s onchain data points to supply overhang and weak participation, while gold’s breakout is priced by markets as a durable macro regime shift.

What to know:

  • Gold’s surge above $5,000 an ounce is increasingly seen as a durable regime shift, with investors treating the metal as a persistent hedge against geopolitical risk, central bank demand and a weaker dollar.
  • Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 in a low-conviction market, as on-chain data show older holders selling into rallies, newer buyers absorbing losses and a heavy supply overhang capping moves toward $100,000.
  • Derivatives and prediction markets point to continued consolidation in bitcoin and sustained strength in gold, with thin futures volumes, subdued leverage and weak demand for higher-beta crypto assets like ether reinforcing the cautious tone.