- OKX has paused its DEX aggregator to enhance security after Lazarus Group’s misuse attempts.
- New tools will block hacker addresses in real-time and improve trade labeling accuracy.
- OKX says media attacks misrepresent its role and vows stronger safeguards for users.
OKX is stepping up security after a series of attacks and media accusations. The exchange announced it will temporarily pause its DEX aggregator to enhance protections and resolve labeling issues on blockchain explorers.
In the statement, OKX explained that the North Korean hackers – Lazarus Group – had recently attempted to misuse its DeFi services. The group is linked to several hacks, including the $1.4 billion Bybit attack in February. According to an analysis, the hacking group had usurped over $1.3 billion in crypto in 2024.
Meanwhile, OKX also reported facing “competitive attacks” and misinformation campaigns. The exchange stated it would not back down but instead take “decisive action” to protect its platform and users. After consulting with regulators, OKX decided to suspend its DEX aggregator temporarily. The pause allows the exchange to upgrade its systems and prevent further malicious activity. Wallet services remain available, though new wallet creation will pause in select markets.
OKX is also working with blockchain explorers to address incomplete labeling, aiming to ensure that explorers correctly identify the true origin of trades. The company explained that some had mistaken the OKX’s DEX aggregator as the final point of trade.
OKX has already introduced new security tools, which include a hacker address detection system for its Web3 DEX aggregator. The system tracks the addresses of hackers and blocks them in real-time across the company’s centralized exchange (CEX) services.
Related: OKB Review: How OKX’s Native Token Powers the Ecosystem
The exchange emphasized that OKX Web3 is a DEX aggregator, not a custodian of user assets. It connects users to liquidity across different protocols, offering peer-to-peer trading access. Despite these facts, OKX claimed that some groups are deliberately misrepresenting its platform. The company said these efforts undermine not only its services but also the larger crypto industry.
Trust is key, the exchange added, promising to continue improving safeguards and upholding regulatory standards. OKX urged users to see recent reports as “deliberate mischaracterizations.”
