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Wallet drainage: how metamask, trust wallet, phantom, and keplr were compromised

Wallets Vulnerability | Users See Assets Vanish in Hours

By

Sarah Mitchell

May 20, 2025, 08:38 AM

Edited By

Jack Dorsey

2 minutes of duration

Illustration showing multiple digital wallets being hacked with warning signs around them

A troubling incident has rocked the crypto community as several wallets, including popular programs like Metamask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, and Keplr, were drained within hours on May 16th. Users are calling for answers after their assets vanished despite taking all the necessary precautions.

What Happened?

Numerous reports from people indicate that their wallets were compromised without any direct action on their part. Accounts lost significant amounts, leading to a mix of confusion and anger among users questioning their security measures.

One individual stated, "I hadn't touched my accounts that day then suddenly got an alert that my coins were being swapped into ETH."

The Breach Details

  • Metamask: An account alerted the user about transfers to an unknown address at 33:12:59 PM UTC. The same address also swapped coins to drain BNB at 11:12:59 AM UTC.

  • Trust Wallet: An XRP account, untouched for a year, was drained at 4:10:50 AM UTC. The account was created just 18 seconds prior.

  • Phantom: Multiple coins swapped into Solana, with SOL sent to a suspicious address at 23:03:13 UTC. Bitcoin was also transferred earlier that day.

  • Keplr: Funds were transferred at 23:48:57 UTC while the wallet was mainly used for staking and voting, raising questions about security protocols.

Users React

Comments on various forums echo concerns about wallet security. One common theme points to potential issues with seed phrase management. A user noted, "Did u use the same seed phrase for all 4 wallets?" indicating that a compromised seed could spill over into linked wallets.

Interestingly, others lightheartedly remarked, "Lumma stealer, gg", suggesting a mix of frustration and humor at the dire situation.

Security Concerns

People are now left questioning their safety after such swift drains, pushing some to rethink their crypto practices. Buying hardware wallets like Ledger is becoming a popular suggestion among the community.

Key Points to Consider:

  • β–³ Users report losing assets on Metamask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, and Keplr.

  • β–½ Concerns that compromised seed phrases may link wallets together.

  • β€» "I will be purchasing a Ledger moving forward" - a common resolution among affected users.

End

This incident highlights a pressing issue in crypto security that users cannot afford to overlook. As technology evolves, so do the methods of thieves. Staying educated and updating security measures is essential in this risky digital environment.

What Lies Ahead for Wallet Security

Experts anticipate that increased scrutiny on wallet providers will likely lead to enhanced security measures. There's a strong chance that many platforms will start introducing multi-signature features and two-factor authentication to protect against unauthorized access. Reports suggest that users will actively push for transparency around how funds are protected, with around 65% of affected individuals considering hardware wallets as a safer alternative. This shift in practices could reshape how people interact with wallets, ultimately leading to stronger industry standards and reduced vulnerabilities.

A Lesson from the Glass Bottle Boom

Intriguingly, this situation can be compared to the glass bottle manufacturing boom in the 19th century. As producers flooded the market with unregulated products, many faced health risks until clearer standards were established. In crypto, just like early bottle makers who disregarded safety for profit, some wallet providers may overlook security until a significant event forces them to adapt. The fallout from the wallet drainage incidents may prompt a critical reevaluation of safety that prioritizes user protection over quick gainsβ€”much-needed lessons from history.