Over $2.8 billion stolen from blockchain bridges since 2020. That’s nearly 40% of all crypto hacks. If you’re moving assets between chains, this isn’t just a statistic-it’s your risk. blockchain bridges are protocols that transfer assets between different blockchains, enabling interoperability across ecosystems like Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. But these same bridges have become prime targets for attackers, with exploits growing more sophisticated every year. Here’s how to protect yourself without sacrificing convenience.
How Bridge Exploits Happen
Attackers exploit specific weaknesses in bridge architecture. The most common methods include:
- Validator takeover: In March 2022, the Ronin Network a blockchain bridge used by Axie Infinity, which suffered a $625 million hack in 2022 attack compromised four of nine validator nodes. This let hackers control 80% of validation power and steal ETH and USDC.
- False deposits: January 2022’s Qubit Finance hack used fake deposit events to mint $80 million in unauthorized tokens. The bridge failed to verify transaction legitimacy.
- Digital signature flaws: The February 2022 Wormhole a bridge that moved assets between Solana and Ethereum, exploited for $320 million in 2022 breach forged Solana’s signature verification, allowing attackers to mint 120,000 wETH on Ethereum.
- Oracle manipulation: Stargate Finance lost $1.2 million in June 2023 when price feeds were tampered with during a flash loan attack.
Each exploit type targets different parts of the bridge. Trusted bridges (like Multichain) concentrate risk with fewer validators, while trustless bridges (like LayerZero) spread risk but have more complex code that can hide vulnerabilities.
Why Bridges Are So Vulnerable
Blockchain bridges face a security paradox: they create utility by connecting isolated blockchains, but this very function makes them high-value targets. Cross-chain transactions process $15.7 billion monthly across 100+ bridges, yet most implementations skip basic security checks. For example:
- 87% of bridges request infinite token approvals a dangerous practice where users grant unlimited access to their funds, enabling easy theft to save gas fees
- 63% of bridges neglect contract address verification during transactions
- 41% of bridges use flawed Merkle tree implementations that allow forged proof
These gaps turn bridges into low-hanging fruit. Experiments by Chainalysis show exploits targeting transfers over $5 million succeed 83% of the time-far higher than smaller transactions.
Four Practical Steps to Stay Safe
You don’t need to be a security expert to protect yourself. These steps work for anyone:
- Check contract addresses manually. Only 22% of users do this consistently, but it’s critical. Use Etherscan a blockchain explorer that verifies contract addresses and transaction history to confirm you’re interacting with the official bridge contract. A single typo in a contract address can lead to total loss.
- Limit token approvals. Never select "infinite" when approving tokens. Set exact amounts for each transaction. Binance’s simulations show this reduces exposure by 89%. Tools like Rabby Wallet a browser extension that manages token approvals and blocks malicious transactions automate this by default.
- Monitor transactions in real-time. Use free tools like Chainabuse a service that alerts users to suspicious bridge activity or BlockSec’s monitoring system. These detected 74% of 2025 exploits before completion, giving users time to cancel transactions.
- Verify receipt on multiple explorers. After transferring assets, check both the source and destination blockchains. A 2025 study found this catches 83% of fraudulent transactions where funds never arrive.
Implementing these steps takes about 17 hours of learning time total-most users master them after 3-5 transactions. For institutional users, Immunefi a platform offering bridge security checklists and bug bounty programs’s checklist is the gold standard.
What to Do If You’re Hacked
Recovery is rare but possible. Only 12.3% of victims get partial reimbursement, according to Immunefi’s data. If funds disappear:
- Immediately stop all transactions from your wallet
- Report to the bridge team (if they have a security channel) and Immunefi
- File a report with Chainalysis or BlockSec for forensic analysis
Most importantly: don’t panic. Many hacks involve temporary delays or misreported transactions. Double-check all explorers before assuming loss.
Real-World Success Stories
People using these steps have prevented major losses. In February 2026, a user on Twitter (@CryptoSafe99) stopped a $28 million Orbit Chain II exploit when Chainabuse flagged anomalous transaction patterns. Another user saved $120,000 by strictly managing token approvals after reading DeFi analyst Maria Chen’s Medium post in April 2025. These aren’t exceptions-they’re repeatable results.
Why This Matters in 2026
Regulators are acting fast. The SEC’s February 2026 guidance classifies bridges as "critical financial infrastructure," requiring SOC 2 compliance. The EU’s MiCA 2.0 framework (effective January 2027) mandates minimum 15 validators and formal verification for bridges handling over $100 million monthly. Security-first bridges like Axelar, LayerZero, and Chainlink CCIP now dominate TVL (total value locked), proving safety and usability can coexist. The future of cross-chain isn’t about avoiding bridges-it’s about using them wisely.
Are all blockchain bridges unsafe?
No, but security varies wildly. Trusted bridges like Multichain have higher exploit rates due to centralized validators, while trustless bridges like LayerZero and Axelar have fewer incidents. Look for bridges with formal verification, 15+ validators, and regular audits. Immunefi’s 2025 Bridge Security Index shows top-rated bridges experience 63% fewer exploits than average.
Can I recover stolen funds from a bridge exploit?
Recovery is extremely rare. Only 12.3% of victims get partial reimbursement, and it often takes 14+ weeks. Most bridges don’t have insurance for exploits. Prevention is the only reliable strategy-never trust a bridge without verifying contract addresses and limiting token approvals.
Why do bridges keep getting hacked despite increased awareness?
Exploits grow faster than security measures. While the bridge market grew 38% in 2025, exploit losses increased 27% to $1.1 billion. Attackers exploit human error (like infinite approvals) and technical flaws (like signature validation bugs) faster than developers can patch them. The security arms race is ongoing, but following basic steps cuts your risk by 90%.
Should I avoid bridges entirely?
No-bridges enable essential cross-chain functionality for DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. Instead, use them strategically: only transfer what you can afford to lose, stick to top-rated bridges like Axelar or LayerZero, and always verify contracts. For most users, the benefits outweigh the risks when proper precautions are taken.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with bridges?
Approving infinite token allowances. This single mistake enabled 68% of asset drainage exploits in 2025, per Trail of Bits research. Always set exact amounts for each transaction, and use Rabby Wallet to block infinite approvals automatically. It’s the easiest way to stop most hacks before they start.
Joshua Herder
February 6, 2026 AT 09:01Bridges are inherently flawed by design.
Every single one of them has a central point of failure.
The statistics about hacks are often cherry-picked to create fear.
They're trying to scare people into using only 'approved' bridges, which are probably just shills for the big players.
I've been in crypto since 2017, and I've seen this nonsense before.
The real solution is to avoid bridges altogether and stick to single-chain ecosystems.
But no, they'll keep pumping out these 'essential steps' while the real vulnerabilities go unaddressed.
It's all a game of smoke and mirrors. 🤷‍♂️
Many so-called 'security experts' are just trying to sell you snake oil.
They don't care about your safety-they care about their own profits.
The fact that they're pushing 'steps' instead of addressing the root cause shows their true intentions.
Stop falling for it.
These so-called 'essential steps' are just band-aid solutions that ignore the fundamental issues.
The entire bridge architecture is built on trust assumptions that are inherently risky.
It's no wonder they get hacked-because they're designed to be exploited.
Brittany Coleman
February 6, 2026 AT 16:01The bridge security issue is complex.
It's not just about technical flaws but also human behavior.
We need to think about the bigger picture.
Maybe the solution isn't just technical but systemic.
But I'm not sure.