Crypto Bridge Attack Spree: $31M Stolen From AFX and VerusCoin

Hackers drained $31M from AFX Trade and VerusCoin bridges in July 2026. Full breakdown of both exploits and fund movements.

Two separate bridge exploits drained more than $31 million from crypto protocols within days of each other. Arbitrum-based AFX Trade lost $24.15 million in USDC on July 22. 

VerusCoin’s Ethereum Bridge lost roughly $7.54 million in a related but distinct attack.

Security firm Blockaid flagged both incidents as they unfolded. The two hacks push 2026’s bridge exploit total higher, adding fresh pressure on cross-chain infrastructure.

AFX Trade’s Arbitrum Bridge Drained of $24 Million

Blockaid detected the AFX exploit at 21:30 UTC on July 22. 

The attacker compromised five hot-validator signatures on the AFX-operated custody bridge. This let them bypass the quorum requirement and authorize an unauthorized withdrawal. 

Blockaid detected an exploit at 2026-07-22 21:30 UTC targeting @AFX_XYZ, a protocol on @arbitrum. The exploit was specific to a bridge that AFX operates. Approximately 24.15M USDC has been drained thus far from the protocol.

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