MCAP $2.81T ▼ 3.09% 24H VOL $94.1B BTC.D 59.3% FEAR & GREED 57 Greed BTC FEE 1 sat/vB BTC $83,153 ▲ 0.60% ETH $2,498 ▼ 1.21% USDT $0.9992 ▼ 0.02% BNB $739.36 ▼ 1.06% XRP $1.36 ▼ 2.06% USDC $0.9998 ▲ 0.00% SOL $106.27 ▼ 3.64% TRX $0.3279 ▼ 1.04% FIGR_HELOC $1.07 ▲ 6.38% ZEC $1,182 ▼ 7.95%

Hacks & Security

Autheo THEO token plunges 92% after suspected bridge exploit

The Autheo Network token dropped 92% in 24 hours following a suspected cross-chain bridge exploit that allowed unauthorized token minting.

CoinDesk AI Desk
· 2 min read
✓ 2 SOURCES CHECKED
Autheo THEO token plunges 92% after suspected bridge exploit
Image: Crypto.news

Key takeaways

  1. 92% price drop. THEO fell 92% to $0.006262 within 24 hours of the suspected exploit.
  2. 19M unauthorized mints. PeckShield tracked 19 million unauthorized THEO tokens minted on Base before the attack.
  3. $1.76M stolen. The attacker swapped minted tokens for 700.8 ETH worth roughly $1.76 million.

What happened

Autheo's native THEO token dropped 92% to $0.006262 within 24 hours after a suspected cross-chain bridge exploit on Base. Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported an attacker minted 19 million unauthorized THEO tokens on Base on October 12, 2026, swapped them for 700.8 ETH worth roughly $1.76 million, and bridged the proceeds to Ethereum. Autheo confirmed it is investigating a security incident involving THEO and urged users not to buy, sell, or bridge the token until an official all-clear is issued.

Why it matters

The incident highlights risks associated with cross-chain bridge vulnerabilities, which have been a common target for crypto exploits. Unauthorized token minting via compromised bridge infrastructure can lead to sudden, severe price collapses for affected tokens, and the lack of confirmed details from Autheo leaves holders uncertain about the full scope of the breach and potential for recovery.

What is still unclear

  • The exact total number of unauthorized THEO tokens minted remains unconfirmed, with PeckShield reporting 19 million and a separate researcher citing 119 million. Autheo has not verified either figure, confirmed the specific vulnerability exploited, or provided an estimate of total financial losses from the incident.

Questions readers ask

What happened to THEO token?

THEO dropped 92% in 24 hours after a suspected cross-chain bridge exploit allowed unauthorized token minting on Base. Autheo is investigating and has urged users to avoid trading or bridging the token until further notice.

How much was stolen in the THEO exploit?

PeckShield reported the attacker swapped 19 million minted THEO for 700.8 ETH worth approximately $1.76 million, which was then bridged to Ethereum. Autheo has not confirmed the total loss amount.

Is it safe to buy THEO right now?

Autheo has explicitly warned users not to buy, sell, or bridge THEO until its security investigation is complete and an official all-clear is issued.

Sources · 2 publishers

  1. Crypto.news TIER 2 FIRST REPORT
    Autheo THEO token plunges 92% after suspected bridge exploit
  2. Coinpedia TIER 3
    THEO Bridge Exploit After $1.76M ETH Transfer, Price Drops 92%