Cross-Chain Bridge Exploits Surge 340% in 2025: Security Audits Now Mandatory for Major Protocols
Cross-chain bridge vulnerabilities have led to $4.2 billion in losses during 2025, marking a 340% increase from the previous year. Leading protocols including Wormhole, Synapse, and LayerZero announced mandatory monthly security audits and implementation of zero-knowledge proof verification systems. The Blockchain Bridge Security Alliance reported that 78% of exploits targeted smart contract reentrancy vulnerabilities in bridge protocols connecting Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon networks.
Industry analysts predict that bridges incorporating formal verification and insurance mechanisms will dominate market share by Q2 2026, with security-certified bridges expected to handle over $150 billion in monthly transaction volume.
