We are excited to announce that the Evercode Lab team is back with another amazing digest. And “amazing” is the right word here, because we have not yet seen such a variety of headlines and events in 2026. Bitcoin once again took us through its ups and downs, crypto security faced a serious test from scammers, and digital-asset regulation kept getting tougher.
There is a lot to cover, so today we are breaking it all down in our Crypto Digest!
Before diving into the news break, take a moment to explore how Evercode Lab can support your Web3 ambitions.
With our white-label solutions, you can develop and launch your own crypto or Web3 product faster and more easily, with full technical support at every stage: from concept to release.
Record Crypto Hacks in April 2026
Unfortunately, April set a new record for crypto hacks, with losses reaching unprecedented levels as multiple exploits hit DeFi protocols, bridges, and centralized platforms. DeFiLlama analysts counted more than 20 incidents in a month.
According to CertiK estimates, the total losses from the attacks reached $651 million. In monetary terms, the figure did not become a record, but the number of individual break-ins exceeded historical values.
The largest incident was the $292 million Kelp hack. The attack caused problems with “bad debts” in the Aave landing protocol, which is why the community had to attract emergency loans and donations.
Another example is the hacking of the Solana-based Drift Protocol, with damage exceeding $280 million.
Representatives of the project stated that the attack was not related to a bug in the code. According to them, this is a planned operation that was prepared for about six months using social engineering methods.
The trend reflects a growing sophistication among attackers, who increasingly exploit complex protocol interactions rather than simple bugs.
Stressing about your project will also become targeted by fraudsters and crypto scammers? Then entrust the development to Evercode Lab and our white-label products! Secure, with fast deployment and post-launch support.
Aave Launches DeFi United to Address Kelp Exploit
In response to the Kelp exploit, Aave introduced “DeFi United,” an initiative aimed at raising 100,000 ETH to compensate affected users. This move marks one of the largest coordinated bailout efforts in DeFi history.
The Lido team submitted to the DAO a proposal to allocate up to 2,500 stETH (about $5.8 million) to cover the shortage of “wrapped” ether.
| Contributor | Amount | Structure |
| Aave DAO (governance proposal) | 25,000 ETH (~$58M) | Direct contribution from the DAO treasury |
| Stani Kulechov (personal) | 5,000 ETH (~$11.6M) | Personal commitment from the Aave founder |
| Mantle Network | 30,000 ETH (~$69.6M) | 3-year loan, Lido APR +1%, requires 130K AAVE token delegation |
| Lido DAO | 2,500 stETH (~$5.8M) | Direct pledge |
Ethena, LayerZero, Ink Foundation, Tydro, and Frax Finance joined the initiative (but the amount of ETH is undisclosed).
The initiative signals a shift toward collective responsibility within decentralized finance. Rather than leaving users to absorb losses, leading protocols are stepping in to stabilize the ecosystem and maintain trust.
This could set a precedent for future incidents, where major players collaborate to mitigate systemic risks and protect liquidity.
Bitcoin Price Surges Above $79,000
Bitcoin crossed the $79,000 mark in April, driven largely by strong ETF inflows and renewed institutional demand. At the time of writing, the asset is trading for $78,375.
The increase followed a statement by US President Donald Trump. NYP, citing sources, reported that the head of the United States is ready to give Iran up to five days of truce to prepare for negotiations.
The price movement also triggered increased market activity, with altcoins following Bitcoin’s upward momentum. Analysts point to sustained inflows and supply constraints as key drivers behind the bullish trend.
CertiK Report Signals Tougher Crypto Regulations
CertiK released a report highlighting upcoming changes in digital asset regulation, including stricter AML requirements and expanded audit obligations for crypto projects.
The report found that the digital-asset industry has entered a full compliance phase as regulatory frameworks take effect in major jurisdictions, including the US, the European Union, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
CertiK highlighted three key changes:
- Stronger anti-money laundering enforcement,
- The integration of smart-contract security audits into formal regulatory systems,
- The global convergence of stablecoin standards.
“The era of ambiguity in digital-asset regulation is already over,” Stefan Muehlbauer, CertiK’s head of US government policy, said. “The key competitive edge now will be how quickly firms can meet regulatory requirements.”
SEC Relaxes Rules for Self-Custodial Crypto
In a notable shift, the SEC has eased certain requirements related to self-custodial wallets. This move is seen as a positive step for decentralization, allowing users more flexibility in managing their assets without heavy regulatory constraints.
Employees of the Commission’s Trade and Markets Department indicated that solutions for transactions through self-custodial wallets may be exempt from registration under certain circumstances.
The main condition is not to push investors into specific transactions with crypto asset securities. It is also required not to comment on transaction execution paths and to comply with other SEC standards.
The decision may encourage broader adoption of non-custodial wallets and reinforce the core principle of user ownership in crypto.
However, it also raises questions about how regulators will balance innovation with investor protection moving forward.
Final Thought
The crypto market continues to mature, with innovation happening across multiple layers: from tokens and blockchain networks to infrastructure.
As always, understanding these shifts is key to navigating the next phase of the crypto industry. Stay tuned with Evercode Lab for more weekly insights into blockchain trends, and explore how our white-label solutions can help your business innovate and thrive in the fast-moving Web3 ecosystem.