Map Protocol token plummets 96% after a quadrillion token mint exploit
The attacker tricked the Butter Network cross-chain bridge into minting millions more tokens than the legitimate supply of MAPO.
Map Protocol's native token MAPO has crashed 96% following a devastating exploit that saw attackers mint approximately one quadrillion tokens through the Butter Network cross-chain bridge. The exploit manipulated the bridge's minting mechanism, allowing the creation of millions more tokens than the protocol's legitimate circulating supply.
The attack targeted Butter Network, which serves as Map Protocol's cross-chain infrastructure, enabling token transfers between different blockchain networks. Exploiters managed to deceive the bridge's validation system into authorizing massive unauthorized token mints, effectively flooding the market with counterfeit MAPO tokens and destroying the token's scarcity.
This incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in cross-chain bridge protocols, which have become frequent targets for crypto hackers due to their complex validation mechanisms. Cross-chain bridges have suffered over $2.5 billion in losses throughout 2024, making them one of the most exploited components in decentralized finance infrastructure. The scale of this particular exploit—involving quadrillions of tokens—represents one of the largest token inflation attacks recorded in the sector.
Map Protocol developers are likely working to implement emergency measures to halt further exploitation and potentially roll back unauthorized transactions. The incident underscores the critical importance of robust security audits for cross-chain infrastructure, as bridge vulnerabilities can instantly devastate entire token ecosystems.
Source: Cointelegraph
