Hacker Steals $27.3M Using Multi-Signature Wallet Exploit

2 mins mins

Key Points:

A hacker stole $27.3 million from the Unleash Protocol.
Security vulnerabilities in multi-signature wallets are exposed.
Possible regulatory changes in decentralized finance may arise.

A hacker infiltrated a multi-signature wallet linked to Unleash Protocol, stealing $27.3 million in assets, with funds laundered through TornadoCash, as reported by PeckShieldAlert.

This incident highlights security vulnerabilities in multisig protocols, affecting asset dynamics and prompting Unleash Protocol to halt operations and initiate a forensic investigation.

$27.3 Million Heist Hits Multi-Signature Wallets

Security firm PeckShieldAlert reported that a hacker took control of a multi-signature wallet and stole $27.3 million in assets from the crypto project Unleash Protocol. PeckShieldAlert, tracking on-chain activity, highlighted that the hacker deposited 6,300 ETH (approximately $19.4 million) into TornadoCash. The forensic investigation shows a leveraged long position worth $9.75 million held by the hacker.

Major disruptions have ensued as Unleash Protocol paused operations to prevent further unauthorized withdrawals. No official reactions or statements have come from key figures in the crypto community. However, the incident has drawn attention to multisig governance risks, with experts urging improved security protocols to safeguard assets.

Unleash Protocol, Leadership Team, Unleash Protocol, paused operations and initiated a forensic probe with independent security experts to confirm the security of the core infrastructure. source

Impact on Ethereum and Potential Regulatory Changes

Did you know? Similar breaches have occurred, including a $27.3 million private key leak in December 2025. Such incidents highlight ongoing vulnerabilities within multi-signature wallets.

According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum currently trades at $3,220.91 with a market cap of $388.75 billion. The Coincu research team notes that such incidents may prompt stricter regulatory scrutiny on security protocols in decentralized finance. Improved auditing and security measures could potentially reduce risks associated with digital asset storage. Eowyn Chen discusses these recent trends in digital assets.

ethereum-daily-chart-2424 — Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 09:48 UTC on January 6, 2026. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Experts are calling for enhanced security measures to protect against similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for better governance structures in decentralized finance.

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