# Mercado Bitcoin Said Its Hack Was Contained, But Blockchain Data Tells a Different Story

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/mercado-bitcoin-said-its-hack-was-contained-but-blockchain-data-tells-a-different-story/
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:16:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T20:22:10+00:00
- Original publisher: Decrypt
- Original article: https://decrypt.co/382670/mercado-bitcoin-hack-contained-blockchain-data
- Topics: Americas, Business, Crypto, Cybersecurity, Technology, World

## Key points

- Blockchain analysis suggests transfers continued after Mercado Bitcoin said the breach was contained.
- Bitquery estimates $48.6 million was stolen across 11 blockchains.
- Customers are advised not to reuse old deposit addresses until they are confirmed safe.

## Summary

Blockchain researchers say an attacker continued draining Mercado Bitcoin-linked deposit addresses for nearly four hours after the Brazilian exchange said it had contained a security breach. The findings raise questions about how quickly the exchange stopped the attack and whether other customer addresses may remain exposed.

Bitquery traced about $48.6 million in stolen assets across 11 blockchains, while Mercado Bitcoin’s updated estimate is about $36.3 million. The researchers identified 36,042 Ethereum deposit addresses emptied between 9:27 a.m. and 1:56 p.m. Brazil time; these held roughly $266,000, and transfers from them continued after the exchange’s 9:56 a.m. containment announcement. Mercado Bitcoin says it will cover customer losses, and advises have been issued against reusing old deposit addresses until they are confirmed safe. From November 9, customers are due to be able to view balances, but no date has been set for deposits, withdrawals or trading to resume.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.