Hack history / 2020 / Hack or exploit
KuCoin
Hack or exploit on Sep 26, 2020 · Hot Wallet Key Compromised
IN REVIEWSOURCES DISAGREE ON DATE OR LOSS · 2 SOURCES
Lost
$281M
sources: $150M to $281M
Returned
none listed
as the sources state it
Rank
#23
among thefts by dollars lost
What happened
On September 25-26, 2020, attackers obtained the private keys to KuCoin's hot wallets and stole approximately $280 million. The Lazarus Group, working on behalf of North Korea, was attributed as the attacker. KuCoin recovered $235 million (84%) through on-chain tracking, contract upgrades, and law enforcement cooperation.
In review: sources disagree on the loss.
Details
- Date
- Sep 26, 2020
- Kind
- Hack or exploit
- Method
- Hot Wallet Key Compromised
- How in
- Keys, accounts and infrastructure
- Target
- Centralized exchange
- Chains
- Ethereum
After the theft
- Recovered or seized
- $235M
“KuCoin recovered $235 million (84%) through on-chain tracking, contract upgrades, and law enforcement cooperation.” (DefiLlama) - Victims reimbursed
- yes, amount not stated
“KuCoin officially stated that if any user suffers losses in this incident, KuCoin and its insurance fund will be fully borne by KuCoin.” (SlowMist Hacked)
Reported by
Related incidents
Cite this page
SwanBluechip, "KuCoin hack, Sep 26, 2020: $281M lost", Crypto hack history, https://swan-hack-tracker.pages.dev/history/i/ht0beae6410e/ (data as of 2026-10-31).