HTX investigates mysterious small transfers to users

Crypto exchange HTX is investigating a series of small transfers that are said to have been sent from the platform to user addresses. HTX says that after an internal investigation it can confirm that it did not make any transfers itself. The situation may involve a form of address poisoning, in which attackers send small amounts to link addresses to known wallets. Some accounts are said to have already been blocked.

In brief:

• HTX has received reports from users who say they received small transfers from the platform.
• The exchange itself says, following an internal investigation, that it did not make any transfers and is looking into their origin.
• HTX does not rule out address poisoning or errors in the linking of on-chain addresses.

HTX denies making any transfers itself

Users of HTX report receiving small amounts that appear to come from the platform. The exchange is responding to those reports and says it has started an internal investigation.

According to HTX, that investigation shows that the platform itself did not carry out any transfers and did not perform any testing activities that could explain the transfers. The origin of the amounts remains unclear at this point.

Address poisoning as a possible explanation

HTX says it is examining several scenarios. One of them is address poisoning, a technique in which small amounts are sent to users’ wallets to link those addresses to known individuals or accounts. Another possibility is an error in the way the origin of on-chain transactions is recognised.

According to WuBlockchain, some accounts have been blocked as a result of the situation. HTX has not yet confirmed this itself.

HTX says it will not comment on the cause while the investigation is ongoing. As soon as there is more clarity, the platform wants to inform the community.