Apr 2024 - Merlin Chain Discord Hack - $Unknown (Global)
"Merlin Chain - The Native Bitcoin Layer2 Unleashing Bitcoin's Potential with Native L1 Assets, Users and Protocols"
"Merlin Chain is a Bitcoin Layer 2 that integrates the ZK-Rollup network, decentralized oracle network, Data Availability, and on-chain BTC fraud proof modules. Merlin Chain is committed to empowering Bitcoin's native assets, protocols, and products on Layer1 through its Layer 2 network, to Make Bitcoin Fun Again.
Merlin Chain leverages zero-knowledge proofs submitted to Bitcoin for verification of commitments, providing enhanced support to the Bitcoin network. It allows challengers to present fraud proofs on disputed matters, utilizing Bitcoin's robust consensus mechanism to ensure the security of the Merlin Chain network. This ensures a secure, practical, comprehensive, and economically efficient network environment for users within the ecosystem.
Merlin Chain aims to expand the native innovation from Bitcoin Layer 1 to Layer 2. This includes supporting all kinds of Bitcoin Layer 1 assets, building dApps with 'fully on chain' spirit of Bitcoin, and community driven assets launching method. Merlin is trying to build a EVM compatible chain for Bitcoin, to unleash the potential of Bitcoin and Ordinals."
"Merlin Chain offers low fees and high scalability as an EVM-compatible chain, ensuring swift transaction processing and enhancing transaction liquidity."
"Merlin Chain supports popular Bitcoin protocols such as BRC20, BRC420, Bitmap, Atomicals, Pipe, Stamp, and more, enabling a more extensive user base to interact on Bitcoin Layer2."
"Merlin Chain has implemented ZK-Rollup to enhance efficiency and scalability, with sequencer nodes responsibly managing data transmission via decentralized Oracles, ensuring transparency and security."
"Merlin Chain continues its commitment to fair launches and community-driven native innovations on Layer2, dedicated to delivering unique solutions designed for the Bitcoin network and its users."
"Singapore, April 11th, 2024 — Merlin Chain, a trailblazer in Bitcoin-native layer 2 (L2) protocols, has rolled out a comprehensive suite of security measures alongside revolutionary chain architecture. This initiative follows the platform's remarkable achievement of securing a $3.5 billion Total Value Locked (TVL) just 30 days after its mainnet launch, attracting an impressive cohort of over 200 projects to its rapidly expanding ecosystem."
"Claim your $MERL Tokens Now! Round 2 LIVE NOW! Attention, Merlin community! Round 2 claims are live now. You can now claim your $MERL tokens at our official airdrop site!"
"Merlin Chain discord is hacked. DO NOT Interact."
"According to community feedback, the official Discord server of Merlin Chain appears to have been targeted in a hacker attack, where a management account posted a notification containing a phishing link."
"Looks like they caught the hacker quickly. There may still be some dangerous links, so it's probably best to wait a while."
Further Analysis
Merlin Chain is a layer 2 protocol for bitcoin, aiming to make bitcoin fun again. The Merlin Chain official Discord was hacked, right in the middle of their airdrop campaign. From what can be determined, the post was removed very quickly, and it's unclear if there were any affected users.
How Could This Have Been Prevented?
More Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacks/Scams/Frauds
IO.NET Fake Ethereum Token > > < < XBridge Suspicious Transactions
Sources/Further Reading
SlowMist Hacked - SlowMist Zone (Dec 31)
Merlin Chain官方Discord疑似被黑 - PANews (Dec 31)
@Mailmanbtc Twitter (Dec 31)
@0xDrifter Twitter (Dec 31)
Merlin Chain official Discord is suspected to be attacked (Dec 31)
Merlin Chain官方Discord疑似被攻击 - BlockBeats (Dec 31)
Merlin Chain (Dec 31)
https://www.theblock.co/post/288729/merlin-chain-secures-new-investments-co-led-by-spartan-group-and-hailstone-labs-to-empower-bitcoin-apps (Dec 31)
https://cointelegraph.com/press-releases/merlin-chain-sets-new-standard-for-blockchain-security-and-innovation-with-state-of-the-art-chain-architecture (Dec 31)
@cryptfnt Twitter (Dec 31)
Overview | Merlin Docs (Dec 31)
@cryptfnt Twitter (Dec 31)
@flashpushxyz Twitter (Dec 31)
@antefex_moon Twitter (Dec 31)
@jsteigled Twitter (Dec 31)
@EncryptClubDao Twitter (Dec 31)
@BridgeM_io Twitter (Dec 31)
@lobinni_eth Twitter (Dec 31)
@MerlinLayer2 Twitter (Dec 31)
 t.me/QuadrigaInitiative
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 /r/QuadrigaInitiative
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 @QuadrigaInit
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 info@quadrigainitiative.com
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