Crypto Blockchains Can Freeze Your Coins? 🚨

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Breaking news: Some of the biggest blockchains in the crypto world have a secret weapon-freezing your funds like a boss. 🤯 Who knew? 🎉

The study uncovered that 16 major blockchains have built-in features that allow fund freezing, while 19 others could add such powers with small updates. Because nothing says “trust me” like a blockchain that can lock your money tighter than a vault. 🔒

Blockchains That Can Freeze Your Crypto

The report, titled “Blockchain Freezing Exposed,” examined 166 blockchains using AI-powered analysis and manual code reviews. It exposes how certain blockchains can, under specific conditions, intervene and restrict user transactions, a move that has sparked both curiosity and debate in the crypto community. Because who doesn’t want to be a victim of a blockchain’s whims? 🤡

According to the report, blockchains have adopted different technical methods to enable freezing functions:

  • Hardcoded freezing – directly written into the codebase, as seen in BNB Chain, VeChain, and XDC. Because why not just write it into the code? 🤡
  • Configuration-based freezing – managed by validators or network operators, found in Aptos, Sui, and Linea. Because nothing says “I’m in charge” like a validator with a keyboard. 💻
  • On-chain contract freezing – triggered through on-chain contract functions, such as in HECO. Because smart contracts are so smart. 🤖

Meanwhile, all these capabilities are designed to help blockchains respond quickly during hacks or exploits, allowing them to contain stolen funds before they are moved or laundered. Because nothing says “we care” like a blockchain that can stop your money from escaping. 🛑

Real Cases of Fund Intervention

Several past incidents have already shown these powers in action. After the Cetus hack, Sui froze about $162 million worth of stolen tokens. Because Sui is the blockchain version of a superhero. 🦸♂️

BNB Chain used blacklisting tools to stop the movement of $570 million from a major bridge exploit. Because BNB Chain is basically a bouncer at the crypto nightclub. 🕵️‍♂️

Meanwhile, Sui froze $162 million after the Cetus hack, while Aptos followed up with its own blacklisting update. Because Aptos is the blockchain equivalent of a serial killer with a checklist. 🧛‍♂️

Additionally, VeChain, as early as 2019, froze stolen assets from a $6.6 million breach. Because VeChain is the blockchain that’s always one step ahead of the game. 🕹️

Balancing Safety and Decentralization

While fund-freezing can help reduce losses, it also raises questions about decentralization and control. Because who doesn’t want to trust a blockchain that can freeze their coins on a whim? 🤷‍♀️

David Zong, Head of Group Risk Control and Security at Bybit, explained that while blockchain was built on decentralization, these mechanisms are becoming “pragmatic safety tools” to protect users during emergencies. Because nothing says “safety” like a blockchain that can lock your money without asking. 🔐

He added that transparency is key to maintaining trust as the industry matures. As the crypto space matures, the report urges developers to be open about such features. Because nothing says “trust us” like a blockchain that’s transparent about its ability to freeze your coins. 🤝

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2025-11-12 15:18