Polkadot DOT Plunge Plans Triggered by Hyperbridge Exploit After $237K Token Dump

A major security lapse has shaken the cross-chain ecosystem after attackers exploited a flaw in Hyperbridge, a protocol tied to Polkadot, enabling the creation of unauthorized tokens and triggering a sharp market reaction.

Blockchain security firm CertiK revealed that the breach stemmed from a vulnerability in Hyperbridge’s gateway contract. This flaw allowed attackers to forge transaction messages and ultimately gain administrative control over the bridged token contract on Ethereum.

With that access, the exploiter minted a staggering 1 billion bridged DOT tokens on the Ethereum network. These tokens were rapidly offloaded onto the market, netting the attacker an estimated $237,000 in profits before liquidity collapsed.

Onchain analytics platform Onchain Lens observed that control of the contract had first been transferred to a malicious address, after which the tokens were created and dumped. The sudden flood of supply caused the price of bridged DOT to crash dramatically—from around $1.22 to fractions of a cent in a matter of moments.

Despite the severity of the exploit, Polkadot clarified that the issue is isolated. The attack only impacted DOT tokens bridged to Ethereum via Hyperbridge, leaving the native Polkadot network and other bridging routes unaffected. As a precaution, Hyperbridge operations have been paused while investigations continue.

Still, market sentiment took a hit. Native DOT saw a decline of roughly 4%, slipping from about $1.22 to $1.18 as news of the breach spread.

In response to potential risks, major South Korean exchanges Upbit and Bithumb moved swiftly to suspend DOT deposits and withdrawals, citing signs of a security incident.

The episode underscores the persistent risks in cross-chain infrastructure, where vulnerabilities in bridging mechanisms can have rapid and far-reaching financial consequences—even when the core blockchain remains secure.