Ethereum Client Update Issue Costs Cryptocurrency Exchange $14 Million

A Canada-based digital currency exchange is out as much as $14m worth of the cryptocurrency ether.

AccessTimeIconJun 2, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 6:15 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

A Canadian digital currency exchange is out as much as $14m worth of the cryptocurrency ether.

According to social media posts and a subsequent statement from Vancouver-based QuadrigaCX, the issue arose through its use of a "splitter contract" which was utilized to separate incoming ethers and classic ethers (another cryptocurrency that arose from a blockchain split last year).

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • Yet a recent ethereum client software update, according to QuadrigaCX, led to a contract execution problem on their end.

    The exchange said:

    "Due to an issue when we upgraded from Geth 1.5.3 to 1.5.9, this contract failed to execute the hot wallet transfer for a few days in May. As a result, a significant sum of ether has effectively been trapped in the splitter contract. The issue that caused this situation has since been resolved."

    Data from EtherScan shows that the contract in question currently holds 67,317.25 ETH – an amount worth roughly $14.7m at current ether prices.

    The QuadrigaCX team stressed in its statement that the incident did not impact its solvency or ability to function, but rather "has unfortunately eaten into our profits substantially".

    "All withdrawals, including ether, are being processed as per usual and client balances are unaffected," the exchange said.

    Representatives for QuadrigaCX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Update: This article and its headline have been updated for clarity. 

    Image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.