News linked to both this project and an event.
Kelp DAO released a community update on X, noting that the recent rsETH security incident has remained tense over the past several days. However, with support from partners and the broader community, discussions are progressing in a positive direction, and efforts to identify an appropriate resolution are being accelerated. The guiding principles have already been reflected in initial actions, and subsequent updates will continue along this path, aiming for a win-win outcome for all stakeholders. Over the past four days, the Kelp team has engaged in in-depth communication with partners and other relevant parties. Specific progress includes: the Arbitrum Security Council has taken measures to freeze the stolen funds, and the SEAL 911 emergency response team has swiftly stepped in to conduct preliminary investigations, providing a clear and objective analytical perspective on the incident. While some developments have not yet been fully disclosed, related work continues to advance steadily. Kelp DAO stated that its current priority is safeguarding user assets and strengthening the protocol itself. This incident is also viewed as a critical test—not only for the project but for the broader DeFi ecosystem—and key follow-up developments will continue to be shared via official channels.
According to Natalie Newson, Senior Blockchain Investigator at CertiK, real-time deepfakes, phishing attacks, supply-chain compromises, and cross-chain vulnerabilities will be the primary drivers of cryptocurrency hacks in 2026. So far this year, the industry has lost over $600 million to hacking incidents—including the $293 million Kelp DAO exploit and the $280 million theft from Drift Protocol in April—both linked to a North Korean hacker group. Newson warns that the accelerated advancement of AI will make attack methods increasingly sophisticated, including more realistic deepfakes, autonomous attack agents, and “agent AIs” capable of automatically scanning smart contracts for vulnerabilities. However, AI can also serve as a defensive tool. CertiK advises investors to verify URL authenticity and store assets in cold wallets to mitigate risk.
Odaily News Wall Street investment bank Jefferies' analysis indicates that the approximately $293 million attack on Kelp DAO on April 18 exposed critical infrastructure risks, which may prompt traditional financial institutions to reassess the pace of blockchain and tokenization advancement.Jefferies believes the attacker triggered market sell-offs and liquidity stress by minting unbacked tokens and borrowing across platforms. The incident is suspected to be potentially linked to the Lazarus Group and also highlights the single point of failure in the validation mechanisms of cross-chain bridges. As institutions accelerate the tokenization of assets (such as funds, bonds, and deposits), related risks may cause some banks and asset management firms to temporarily pause deployments, prioritizing a review of system security. Especially in scenarios reliant on cross-chain infrastructure, security vulnerabilities could lead to market fragmentation, undermining the practical utility of tokenized assets.Despite short-term confidence being shaken, Jefferies still emphasizes that the long-term trend remains unchanged. Against the backdrop of regulatory progress and continuous infrastructure improvement, use cases like stablecoins still hold growth potential. However, the industry as a whole is still in its early development stage and requires time to enhance system robustness. (CoinDesk)
Regarding the KelpDAO hack, Aave tweeted that the rsETH markets on Aave V3 and Aave V4 have been frozen. Aave stated that its contracts were not exploited and that this incident is related to the exploit of Kelp DAO’s rsETH cross-chain bridge. The freeze will prevent new rsETH deposits and rsETH-backed lending. Aave is currently reviewing lending activity involving rsETH on the platform following the exploit and has indicated that, should the protocol accumulate bad debt as a result, it will explore options to cover the deficit. Earlier reports indicated that Kelp DAO’s cross-chain bridge was hacked, resulting in the theft of approximately $292 million worth of rsETH, exposing Aave V3 to bad debt risk.
According to CoinDesk, Kelp DAO’s LayerZero-based cross-chain bridge was attacked, with the attacker withdrawing 116,500 rsETH—worth approximately $292 million at current prices, or roughly 18% of its circulating supply. This incident has become the largest DeFi attack of 2026 to date. In response, Aave, SparkLend, and Fluid have frozen rsETH-related markets, and Lido Finance has suspended new deposits into its earnETH product. Kelp DAO stated it is jointly investigating the incident with LayerZero, auditing firms, and external security experts.