Tether Freezes $4.5 Million in USDT Linked to Mercado Bitcoin Breach

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino confirmed the freeze shortly after reports surfaced regarding suspicious transfers originating from the platform. While the frozen amount sits at $4.5 million, security firm Hypernative has flagged total suspicious outflows exceeding $40 million across multiple blockchain networks. Mercado Bitcoin has maintained that its internal systems remain secure for users, characterizing the current suspension of transfers as a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the platform during the recovery process.

To assist in tracking the diverted assets, Mercado Bitcoin released a list of destination addresses spanning five blockchain categories, including Bitcoin, Solana, Stellar, Tron, and EVM-compatible chains. This transparency effort follows the exchange’s earlier involvement in a pilot program with Brazil’s central bank, which utilized Hypernative’s technology to establish a real-time crypto threat monitoring system. Although the exchange has not confirmed whether this specific infrastructure triggered the response, it continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to monitor the movement of funds. The platform has yet to announce a timeline for resuming normal operations.