Bitcoin Bridge Loses Approximately $11 Million in Security Breach

Global: Bitcoin Bridge Loses Approximately $11 Million in Security Breach

On October 30, 2025, a Bitcoin bridging protocol reported an estimated loss of $11 million after a component known as a solver was compromised. The incident affected the bridge operated by The Garden, a platform that facilitates cross‑chain asset transfers.

Incident Overview

The compromised solver acted as a market‑making element within the bridge’s architecture, executing trades that help maintain liquidity for users moving Bitcoin between networks.

Role of Solvers

According to technical descriptions, solvers are external entities that process transaction data and provide price quotations, enabling the bridge to function efficiently without directly holding user funds.

Operator Speculation

Blockchain analysts have raised questions about the relationship between the affected solver and The Garden’s core team. While Garden described the solver as a separate entity, some observers suggest it may be operated by personnel affiliated with the platform.

Garden’s Recent Milestone

Prior to the breach, The Garden announced that it had bridged more than $2 billion in assets, a milestone that attracted both attention and criticism. Critics highlighted that a portion of the transferred funds appeared to be proceeds from illicit activities, suggesting the bridge could be used for money‑laundering.

Community Reaction

Industry commentator zachxbt noted the lack of sympathy for Garden following the exploit, emphasizing concerns about the source of the bridged capital. The comment reflects broader unease within the DeFi community regarding security and compliance.

Security Implications

Security experts view the event as an illustration of the vulnerabilities inherent in decentralized bridging solutions, where reliance on third‑party components can create attack vectors that jeopardize large sums of value.

Broader Context

The breach underscores ongoing challenges for cross‑chain infrastructure, prompting calls for more rigorous auditing and clearer governance over auxiliary services such as solvers.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, stakeholders are monitoring the fallout to assess potential reforms in bridge design and risk management within the decentralized finance ecosystem.

This report is based on information from Web3 Is Going Great, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0). Analysis provided by Web3 Is Going Great.