Indian crypto exchange WazirX recently faced a massive hack resulting in the loss of over $230 million of users’ funds. In response, the exchange proposed a controversial recovery plan that involves distributing the impact among all WazirX users. This strategy has faced backlash from the local crypto community, with many expressing their disapproval of the proposed plan. WazirX conducted a poll for its users, providing them with two options to choose from – one allowing users to trade and hold their crypto with priority for recovery but no withdrawal and the other allowing users to trade and withdraw crypto with lower priority for recovery. The poll is set to end on August 3, with the exchange currently reviewing user feedback to develop a plan that aligns with the community’s best interests.
WazirX CEO Nischal Shetty clarified that the poll is not legally binding upon the users and is a preliminary step to understand their opinions. The exchange plans to launch a feedback form soon to collect more ideas from users on the recovery plan. Despite the controversy surrounding the recovery plan, the exchange is committed to incorporating the collective voice of the community to ensure a fair and effective outcome. CEO and founder of CoinDCX, Sumit Gupta, criticised WazirX’s approach to the recovery, stating that the exchange’s handling of the situation is not community-first and may have negative implications for the ecosystem participants.
According to reports, WazirX has reportedly approached former partner Binance for assistance in bailing out customers affected by the cyberattack. Binance holds around $80 million worth of WRX tokens and could potentially help in recovering some of the stolen customer assets. The exchange is currently unable to use its own funds to pay back a portion of the assets that were stolen in the hack. The relationship between WazirX and Binance had previously soured, leading to the end of their partnership. Despite the challenges, WazirX is actively seeking solutions to mitigate the impact of the hack on its users and has turned to external sources for assistance.
The proposed recovery plan by WazirX has sparked a debate within the crypto community, with many expressing concerns over the equitable distribution of losses among users. The exchange’s decision to involve all users in bearing the impact of the hack has raised questions about the fairness of the plan and the implications it may have on individual users. While the exchange aims to prioritize the recovery of user funds, the approach taken in distributing the losses has faced criticism from industry experts and community members. As the poll deadline approaches, the exchange will need to carefully consider the feedback received from users to formulate a plan that addresses the concerns raised while ensuring a fair outcome for all parties involved.
As WazirX continues to navigate the aftermath of the hack, the exchange has highlighted the importance of community input in shaping its recovery efforts. By soliciting feedback from users and industry stakeholders, WazirX aims to create a plan that reflects the collective voice of the community and prioritizes the best interests of its users. The exchange’s decision to seek assistance from external partners, such as Binance, further underscores its commitment to resolving the situation and restoring trust among its users. Despite the challenges ahead, WazirX remains dedicated to finding a viable solution that provides relief to impacted users and strengthens the resilience of the platform in the face of future threats.