Blockchain security firm BlockSecTeam announced that its Phalcon system spotted a possible attack on Usual Protocol.
The team said their monitoring tool detected a malicious transaction targeting a USD0++ investment vault. As a result, Usual Protocol paused operations to prevent further damage.
Detection and Response
BlockSecTeam’s Phalcon system runs continuous checks on all mempool and on-chain activity. When it found the suspect transaction, it triggered an alert that the vault was under threat.
Phalcon can automatically block harmful transactions by bidding higher on gas fees, aiming to stop bad actors before they complete their exploits.
Usual Protocol confirmed that on May 27, one of its USD0++ investment vaults faced an arbitrage exploit worth $43,000.
The attack abused a capped method of converting USD0++ into USD0 when depositing into the fund. Usual Protocol made clear that no user funds were lost and that the main protocol remained operational. They plan to reenable the affected vault soon.
Phalcon Monitoring System
Phalcon constantly watches for suspicious behaviour by scanning unconfirmed transactions and confirmed blocks. It allows users to set up trigger conditions and notification methods through ready-made templates or custom settings.
When a transaction matches a trigger, Phalcon reacts with a pre-set action, such as submitting a blocking transaction, to protect funds from being stolen. This mechanism uses a specialised gas-bidding strategy to ensure speed and effectiveness.
Rising Protocol Hacks
DeFi protocols have faced a growing number of attacks in recent months. Hackers often find weaknesses in smart contract code or exploit unforeseen interactions between tokens.
As attacks increase, security tools like Phalcon become vital for early detection. Without such safeguards, protocols risk losing large sums and eroding user trust.
Recent Incidents
Earlier in May, Ethereum-based DeFi platform SIR.trading was hit by a severe exploit that drained its entire total value locked. The protocol lost around $355,000 as hackers took advantage of a flaw in its contracts.
In another case, Jake Gallen, CEO of Emblem Vault, fell for a phishing scam during what he believed was a routine Zoom meeting. That breach cost him over $100,000 in Bitcoin and Ethereum, demonstrating how social engineering can be as damaging as technical exploits.
As the DeFi space expands, both on-chain and off-chain threats continue to evolve. Projects must invest in robust security monitoring and regular audits to reduce their attack surface. The combined efforts of security teams, automated tools, and user vigilance offer the best chance to fend off future breaches.
Also Read: Ethereum-Based SIR.trading Hacked, Loses Entire $355K TVL In Protocol Attack