Coinbase Layer 2 BASE battles yet another rugpull after BALD, SwirlLend exploited by attackers


  • DeFi lending platform SwirlLend on BASE has been rugged and the total volume of assets locked dropped from $784,300 to $49,200. 
  • The protocol’s deployer bridged Ethereum and USDC from BASE to the ETH blockchain. 
  • Coinbase’s Layer 2 scaling solution-based LeetSwap DEX and BALD meme coin were recently exploited by the project’s deployer.

Coinbase’s Layer 2 BASE recently made headlines for its mainnet launch and rollout. Interestingly, the project suffered a rugpull before its launch, when meme coin BALD was exploited by its deployer through a DEX based on BASE called LeetSwap. 

While LeetSwap managed a partial recovery of its funds, users who bridged their assets to the BALD liquidity pool lost their holdings. BASE is now faced with yet another rugpull. SwirlLend, a DeFi lending protocol, has also been rugged, as reported by blockchain security experts at PeckShield.

Also read: BALD rug pull wipes out 90% of value, hitting Base DEX LeetSwap: A timeline of events

Coinbase Layer 2 BASE-based DeFi protocol suffers rugpull

Coinbase Layer 2 BASE has amassed $167.74 million in total value of assets locked on its chain. While BASE continues to gain popularity among market participants, a DeFi lending protocol on the Layer 2 chain suffered a rugpull earlier today.

A rugpull is an exploit in which a developer or deployer of the project suddenly shuts down and leaves victims or investors scrambling while they bridge assets locked in the project. A recent instance of a rugpull on BASE was the LeetSwap-based liquidity pool for BALD, a meme coin that amassed nearly $100 million in market capitalization within 48 hours of its launch.

PeckShield, a blockchain security firm, identified the exploit and reported that the total value of assets locked in SwirlLend has dropped from $784,300 to $49,200. 

TVL decline on SwirlLend

TVL decline on SwirlLend

Moreover, the deployer has bridged nearly $289,500 worth of Ether and USDC tokens from Coinbase’s BASE to the Ethereum blockchain. 

SwirlLend rugpull as reported by PeckShield

SwirlLend rugpull as reported by PeckShield

The deployer pulled 140.68 ETH and 32,600 USDC tokens. Another 92 Ether is held on the BASE chain.

Investors are left with no resort to retrieve lost funds as the deployer erased the social media platform of SwirlLend. Swirlend wasn't immediately available to respond to requests for comment.

The project originally had an account on X, formerly Twitter. The deployer has deleted the project’s accounts on X, Telegram, Discord, GitHub and taken down the website, with no means left to contact the exploiter.

Cryptocurrency prices FAQs

How do new token launches or listings affect cryptocurrency prices?

Token launches like Arbitrum’s ARB airdrop and Optimism OP influence demand and adoption among market participants. Listings on crypto exchanges deepen the liquidity for an asset and add new participants to an asset’s network. This is typically bullish for a digital asset.

How do hacks affect cryptocurrency prices?

A hack is an event in which an attacker captures a large volume of the asset from a DeFi bridge or hot wallet of an exchange or any other crypto platform via exploits, bugs or other methods. The exploiter then transfers these tokens out of the exchange platforms to ultimately sell or swap the assets for other cryptocurrencies or stablecoins. Such events often involve an en masse panic triggering a sell-off in the affected assets.

How do macroeconomic releases and events affect cryptocurrency prices?

Macroeconomic events like the US Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates influence risk assets like Bitcoin, mainly through the direct impact they have on the US Dollar. An increase in interest rate typically negatively influences Bitcoin and altcoin prices, and vice versa. If the US Dollar index declines, risk assets and associated leverage for trading gets cheaper, in turn driving crypto prices higher.

How do major crypto upgrades like halvings, hard forks affect cryptocurrency prices?

Halvings are typically considered bullish events as they slash the block reward in half for miners, constricting the supply of the asset. At consistent demand if the supply reduces, the asset’s price climbs. This has been observed in Bitcoin and Litecoin.


Like this article? Help us with some feedback by answering this survey:



Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

Polygon joins forces with WSPN to expand stablecoin adoption

Polygon joins forces with WSPN to expand stablecoin adoption

WSPN, a stablecoin infrastructure company based in Singapore, has teamed up with Polygon Labs to make its stablecoin, WUSD, more useful in payment and decentralized finance.

More Cryptocurrencies News
Coinbase envisages listing of more meme coins amid regulatory optimism

Coinbase envisages listing of more meme coins amid regulatory optimism

Donald Trump's expected return to the White House creates excitement in the cryptocurrency sector, especially at Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange. The platform is optimistic that the new administration will focus on regulatory clarity, which could lead to more token listings, including popular meme coins.

More Crypto News
Cardano's ADA leaps to 2.5-year high of 90 cents as whale holdings exceed $12B

Cardano's ADA leaps to 2.5-year high of 90 cents as whale holdings exceed $12B

As Bitcoin (BTC) gets closer to the $100,000 mark for the first time — it crossed $99,000 earlier Friday — capital is rotating into alternative cryptocurrencies, creating a buzz in the broader crypto market.

More Bitcoin News
Shiba Inu holders withdraw 1.67 trillion SHIB tokens from exchange

Shiba Inu holders withdraw 1.67 trillion SHIB tokens from exchange

Shiba Inu trades slightly higher, around $0.000024, on Thursday after declining more than 5% the previous week. SHIB’s on-chain metrics project a bullish outlook as holders accumulate recent dips, and dormant wallets are on the move, all pointing to a recovery in the cards.

More Shiba Inu News
Bitcoin: Rally expected to continue as BTC nears $100K

Bitcoin: Rally expected to continue as BTC nears $100K

Bitcoin (BTC) reached a new all-time high of $99,419, just inches away from the $100K milestone and has rallied over 9% so far this week. This bullish momentum was supported by the rising Bitcoin spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), which accounted for over $2.8 billion inflow until Thursday. BlackRock and Grayscale’s recent launch of the Bitcoin ETF options also fueled the rally this week. 

Read full analysis
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

BTC

ETH

XRP