Hyperbridge (Polkadot-Ethereum Bridge)
Summary
Hyperbridge is a cross-chain interoperability bridge built by Polytope Labs, connecting Polkadot to Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks using zero-knowledge proof-based consensus verification. On April 13, 2026, an attacker exploited a Merkle Mountain Range (MMR) proof verification flaw in its Ethereum gateway contract, minting approximately 1 billion bridged DOT tokens and causing realized losses subsequently revised to $2.5 million across four EVM chains. The protocol was paused, underwent a full architectural rebuild rather than a patch, and relaunched in June 2026 with structural changes to governance, proof generation, and token architecture.
Connected Entities
1 entities · 10 linked investigationsTimeline(9 events)
2024-09-11
Hyperbridge raised $2.5 million seed round led by Web3 Foundation and Scytale Digital via the Polkadot Ecosystem Fund.
CoinPaper2024-01-01
Hyperbridge launched on Polkadot mainnet as a cross-chain interoperability bridge using zero-knowledge proof-based consensus verification.
Hyperbridge Overview - Polkadot Wiki2025-04-17
Polytope Labs reported raising over $5 million in total, including a $5.3 million seed round backed by the Polkadot Ecosystem Fund.
TechCabal2026-04-13
Attacker exploited MMR proof verification flaw in Hyperbridge's Ethereum gateway, minting approximately 1 billion bridged DOT tokens. Initial reported loss approximately $237,000. Gateway paused within hours.
CoinDesk2026-04-16
Hyperbridge revised total exploit losses to approximately $2.5 million, roughly ten times the initial estimate, after multi-chain forensic audit revealed losses across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, and BNB Chain incentive pools. Emergency bounds-validation patch deployed.
Crypto Times2026-04-21
Hyperbridge filed vulnerability disclosure with Parity Technologies after identifying identical bugs in two upstream ecosystem libraries.
Hyperbridge Post-Mortem (official blog)2026-05-11
SRLabs-audited version of patched codebase released; redeployment process began.
Hyperbridge Post-Mortem (official blog)2026-05-15
Hyperbridge launched a bug bounty program on HackenProof offering up to $50,000 for critical vulnerability disclosures. Over $150,000 reportedly paid to more than 20 researchers within the first week.
Crypto Times2026-06-16
Hyperbridge relaunched with full architectural rebuild including Hyperfungible Token standard, permissionless proof generation, decentralized governance, and LayerZero-compatible OFT adapter.
Crypto TimesDecision Log
- hash: B5587iasaREViTbjvs6pumwFY8FmeqkCbqpnpz5GSzMV
This investigation is cryptographically anchored to the Solana blockchain and source URLs are archived via the Internet Archive.
model: claude-sonnet-4-6
generated: 6/17/2026, 11:08:38 PM
last updated: 6/17/2026, 11:08:47 PM
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