On April 18, 2025, KelpDAO and Aave suffered a $292 million exploit involving the rsETH liquid restaking token. The attacker exploited a cross-chain vulnerability to mint approximately $280-300 million worth of rsETH on EigenLayer, then used these tokens as collateral on Aave V3 to borrow ETH and WETH. The incident caused Aave’s token to drop by 10%.
US forces fired on an Iranian merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting IRGC intervention on April 19, 2026. The incident increases geopolitical tensions, raising concerns over potential conflict escalation and affecting market expectations for the normalization of Strait of Hormuz traffic. The event underscores ongoing security risks in the region impacting global trade and crypto markets.
Iran has not buried Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei 50 days after his death, reflecting ongoing leadership turmoil. The crisis has exposed vulnerabilities within Iran’s political system, raising concerns about increased instability and the possibility of regime change amid internal chaos. The situation underscores the fragility of Iran’s leadership during this period of uncertainty.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and exited ongoing talks, accusing the US of planning attacks. The move, announced on April 19, 2026, increases geopolitical tensions and threatens economic stability in the region. The closure disrupts vital shipping routes, raising concerns over potential conflicts and impacts on global markets.
Rumen Radev leads exit polls in Bulgaria, with a potential move into the prime minister role. His leadership could influence Bulgaria’s foreign policy, affecting EU and NATO relations and regional security strategies. The election results, announced on April 19, 2026, may have significant implications for Bulgaria’s position within European and NATO security frameworks.
Iran fired warning shots at a French ship in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional tensions on April 19, 2026. The incident raises concerns over maritime security and could influence international shipping routes and military strategies in the region. The event underscores ongoing geopolitical risks affecting global trade and security in the strategic waterway.
Kelp DAO was exploited on April 19, 2026, with attackers draining $291 million, causing a liquidity crisis on Aave. The incident triggered a panic among DeFi users, leading to a $6.2 billion withdrawal wave as users sought to secure their assets amid the security breach. The attack highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in DeFi protocols.
