CoinEx Experiences Major Hack, Faces Potential Losses Up to $53 Million

By: crypto insight|2026/01/19 20:30:05
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Key Takeaways

  • CoinEx recently suffered a significant security breach resulting in potential losses estimated at up to $53 million.
  • Massive outflows were observed from CoinEx’s hot wallets, sparking concerns of a compromised system.
  • A whale investor significantly increased their Ethereum holdings, purchasing over 66,000 ETH within a 24-hour period.
  • CoinEx assures customers of compensation, stating that all affected parties will receive 100% reimbursement for losses.
  • North Korea-backed cyber entities were previously noted for large-scale hacking activities targeting crypto platforms.

WEEX Crypto News, 19 January 2026

Unauthorized Access Leads to Major Crypto Theft on CoinEx

CoinEx, a renowned global cryptocurrency exchange, has recently been at the center of a cyber heist that has potentially cost the platform up to $53 million. The breach, which primarily affected the exchange’s hot wallets, has led to considerable anxiety among customers and stakeholders. Blockchain analysis firm PeckShield has made a preliminary assessment of the losses, citing significant thefts of various cryptocurrencies, including $19 million in Ethereum (ETH), $11.5 million in Tron (TRX), and about $295,000 in Polygon (MATIC).

Decryption of CoinEx’s Security Breach

The security breach at CoinEx can be attributed to vulnerabilities within its hot wallet infrastructure. Such wallets, often connected to the internet, are susceptible to cyberattacks due to their accessibility. The attackers capitalized on these weaknesses, executing a scheme that culminated in a substantial pilfer of digital assets.

Despite the scale of the attack, CoinEx has endeavored to reassure its user base by promising full compensation. In an official statement, the exchange confirmed that all customer assets are “secure and untouched” and committed to reimbursing any losses incurred from this security incident.

Notably, the immediate response involved a tactical move to safeguard remaining assets, with about $72 million being transferred to cold wallets, a more secure offline storage solution to prevent further unauthorized access.

CoinEx’s Response and Recovery Plans

CoinEx has been proactive in its response strategy, both in internal security improvement and external partnerships. The exchange is collaborating with a multitude of other cryptocurrency exchanges to trace the digital trail of the stolen funds, thereby halting the assailants from converting or withdrawing their ill-gotten gains. This coordinated effort is critical in the crypto space, where transactions are pseudonymous and complicate the tracking of illicit fund flows.

The Whale’s Aggressive Ethereum Acquisition

In a seemingly unrelated event, a crypto whale notably accumulated a sizeable amount of Ethereum, purchasing over 66,107 ETH in one extreme buying spree within a mere 24 hours. This aggressive investment strategy reflects a broader market trend where large investors take advantage of price dips, signalling confidence in the long-term value of Ethereum despite market volatility.

The investor’s maneuvers mirror the strategies employed by influential traders who leverage significant market movements to expand their holdings, often leading to shifts in crypto market dynamics.

Broader Implications of Cyber Threats on Crypto Exchanges

This incident with CoinEx underscores the persistent threat cybercriminals pose to the cryptocurrency domain. The alarming trend of hacking continues to evolve, with malefactors often employing sophisticated methods to outmaneuver security defenses, as seen in notable cases involving North Korea-backed groups who have previously stolen billions in cryptocurrency.

This scenario emphasizes a pressing need for enhanced security measures across crypto exchanges. Rigorous auditing, advanced encryption methods, robust multi-layered security protocols, and close monitoring of wallet activities are pivotal in safeguarding assets and maintaining trust within the crypto ecosystem.

Positive Market Resilience and Future Outlook

Amid these challenges, CoinEx’s commitment to safeguarding user assets and ensuring reimbursements bodes well for its customer relations and brand reputation. Additionally, ensuring users of a seamless transition back to secure operations without loss of funds illustrates resilience and proactive crisis management.

For users interested in entering the crypto trading arena with a reliable platform, WEEX offers a secure trading environment, encouraging new sign-ups via this [link](https://www.weex.com/register?vipCode=vrmi), which supports comprehensive crypto exchange activities and robust user protection against similar threats.

FAQ

What caused the CoinEx security breach?

The security breach at CoinEx was primarily caused by vulnerabilities in their hot wallet infrastructure, which were exploited by attackers to steal cryptocurrencies.

How much was stolen in the CoinEx hack?

The estimated losses from the CoinEx hack are up to $53 million, with significant amounts being stolen in Ethereum, Tron, and Polygon.

What measures is CoinEx taking to recover from the hack?

CoinEx is collaborating with other exchanges to trace stolen funds, has transferred remaining assets to secure cold wallets, and has committed to reimbursing all affected users.

How does the recent Ethereum purchase by a whale affect the market?

The large-scale acquisition of Ethereum by a whale investor signals strong confidence in the asset’s value, potentially influencing market stability and investor sentiment positively.

Are there lessons to learn for other crypto exchanges from this incident?

The CoinEx incident highlights the importance of robust security infrastructures, including the use of advanced encryption, regular audits, and the segregation of asset storage between hot and cold wallets to mitigate similar threats.

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Sun Valley Releases 2025 Financial Report: Bitcoin Mining Revenue Reaches $670 Million, Accelerating Transformation to AI Infrastructure Platform


On March 16, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, USA, CanGu Company (New York Stock Exchange code: CANG, hereinafter referred to as "CanGu" or the "Company") today announced its unaudited financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. As a bitcoin mining enterprise relying on a globally operated layout and dedicated to building an integrated energy and AI computing power platform, CanGu is actively advancing its business transformation and infrastructure development.


2025 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights


• Financial Performance:

Total revenue for the full year 2025 was $688.1 million, with $179.5 million in the fourth quarter.

Bitcoin mining business revenue for the full year was $675.5 million, with $172.4 million in the fourth quarter.

Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $24.5 million, while the fourth quarter was -$156.3 million.


• Mining Operations and Costs:

A total of 6,594.6 bitcoins were mined throughout the year, averaging 18.07 bitcoins per day; of which 1,718.3 bitcoins were mined in the fourth quarter, averaging 18.68 bitcoins per day.

The average mining cost for the full year (excluding miner depreciation) was $79,707 per bitcoin, and for the fourth quarter, it was $84,552;

The all-in sustaining costs were $97,272 and $106,251 per bitcoin, respectively.

As of the end of December 2025, the company has cumulatively produced 7,528.4 bitcoins since entering the bitcoin mining business.


• Strategic Progress:

The company has completed the termination of the American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program and transitioned to a direct listing on the NYSE to enhance information transparency and align with its strategic direction, with a long-term goal of expanding its investor base.


CEO Paul Yu stated: "2025 marked the company's first full year as a bitcoin mining enterprise, characterized by rapid execution and structural reshaping. We completed a comprehensive adjustment of our asset system and established a globally distributed mining network. Additionally, the company introduced a new management team, further strengthening our capabilities and competitive advantage in the digital asset and energy infrastructure space. The completion of the NYSE direct listing and USD pricing also signifies our transformation into a global AI infrastructure company."


"As we enter 2026, the company will continue to optimize its balance sheet structure and enhance operational efficiency and cost resilience through adjustments to the miner portfolio. At the same time, we are advancing our strategic transformation into an AI infrastructure provider. Leveraging EcoHash, we will utilize our capabilities in scalable computing power and energy networks to provide cost-effective AI inference solutions. The relevant site transformations and product development are progressing simultaneously, and the company is well-positioned to sustain its execution in the new phase."


The company's Chief Financial Officer, Michael Zhang, stated: "By 2025, the company is expected to achieve significant revenue growth through its scaled mining operations. Despite recording a net loss of $452.8 million from ongoing operations, mainly due to one-time transformation costs and market-driven fair value adjustments, the company, from a financial perspective, will reduce its leverage, optimize its Bitcoin reserve strategy and liquidity management, introduce new capital to strengthen its financial position, and seize investment opportunities in high-potential areas such as AI infrastructure while navigating market volatility."


Fourth Quarter 2025 Ongoing Operations Financial Performance


Revenue


The total revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.795 billion. Of this, the Bitcoin mining business contributed $1.724 billion in revenue, generating 1,718.3 Bitcoins during the quarter. Revenue from the international automobile trading business was $4.8 million.


Operating Costs and Expenses


The total operating costs and expenses for the fourth quarter amounted to $4.56 billion, primarily attributed to expenses related to the Bitcoin mining business, as well as impairment of mining machines and fair value losses on Bitcoin collateral receivables.


This includes:

· Cost of Revenue (excluding depreciation): $1.553 billion

· Cost of Revenue (depreciation): $38.1 million

· Operating Expenses: $9.9 million (including related-party expenses of $1.1 million)

· Mining Machine Impairment Loss: $81.4 million

· Fair Value Loss on Bitcoin Collateral Receivables: $171.4 million


Profit Situation


The operating loss for the fourth quarter was $276.6 million, a significant increase from a loss of $0.7 million in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the downward trend in Bitcoin prices.


The net loss from ongoing operations was $285 million, compared to a net profit of $2.4 million in the same period last year.


The adjusted EBITDA was -$156.3 million, compared to $2.4 million in the same period last year.


Full Year 2025 Ongoing Operations Financial Performance


Revenue

The total revenue for the full year was $6.881 billion. Of this, the revenue from the Bitcoin mining business was $6.755 billion, with a total output of 6,594.6 Bitcoins for the year. Revenue from the international automobile trading business was $9.8 million.


Operating Costs and Expenses


The total annual operating costs and expenses amount to $1.1 billion.


Specifically, they include:

· Revenue Cost (excluding depreciation): $543.3 million

· Revenue Cost (depreciation): $116.6 million

· Operating Expenses: $28.9 million (including related-party expenses of $1.1 million)

· Miner Impairment Loss: $338.3 million

· Bitcoin Collateral Receivable Fair Value Change Loss: $96.5 million


Profitability


The full-year operating loss is $437.1 million. The continuing operations net loss is $452.8 million, while in 2024, there was a net profit of $4.8 million.


The 2025 non-GAAP adjusted net profit is $24.5 million (compared to $5.7 million in 2024). This measure does not include share-based compensation expenses; refer to "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for details.


Financial Position


As of December 31, 2025, the company's key assets and liabilities are as follows:


· Cash and Cash Equivalents: $41.2 million

· Bitcoin Collateral Receivable (Non-current, related party): $663.0 million

· Miner Net Value: $248.7 million

· Long-Term Debt (related party): $557.6 million


In February 2026, the company sold 4,451 bitcoins and repaid a portion of related-party long-term debt to reduce financial leverage and optimize the asset-liability structure.


Stock Repurchase


As per the stock repurchase plan disclosed on March 13, 2025, as of December 31, 2025, the company had repurchased a total of 890,155 shares of Class A common stock for approximately $1.2 million.


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