Axelar–Secret IBC Bridge
Axelar–Secret IBC Bridge is the asset-transfer connection used by Secret Tunnel for Axelar-wrapped assets on Secret Network. In June 2026, the Secret-side ics20-for-axelar contract accepted inbound token messages without authenticating the legitimate source channel, enabling unbacked wrapped-asset minting and redemption against real Axelar-side reserves. The affected connection was disabled and remains non-operational at the latest review.
Bridge facts
- Canonical name
- Axelar–Secret IBC Bridge
- Type
- Asset Bridge
- Status
- Paused
- Confidence
- High
- Primary chains
- Secret Network, Axelar
- Primary assets
- USDT, USDC, WETH, WBTC, DAI, WBNB, wstETH
- Operator
- Secret Network ecosystem / Axelar integration
- Ecosystem
- Secret Network
- Launch date
- 2023-03-30
- End date
- Unknown
- Terminal reason
- Not applicable / unknown
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-21
- Last verified
- 2026-08-21
Incident cases
Axelar–Secret IBC Bridge 2026 source-channel validation exploit2026-06-10
On June 10, 2026, the Secret-side ics20-for-axelar contract accepted inbound cross-chain token messages without authenticating the expected source IBC channel. An attacker used that verification gap to mint unbacked Axelar-wrapped assets on Secret and redeem them through the legitimate Axelar connection against real reserves. Secret reported approximately USD 4.67 million stolen. The connection was disabled, no returned attacker funds are established in the admitted record, and a later Axelar governance vote only signaled a non-binding future freeze/recustody and victim-distribution path.
Evidence records
- Security Incident: Axelar<>Secret IBC Bridge Exploit — June 10, 2026Secret Network · Tier 1 · 2026-06-19
- Security Incident: Axelar<>Secret IBC Bridge Exploit — June 10, 2026Secret Network · Tier 1 · 2026-06-19
- The Secret Network ExploitCommon Prefix · Tier 2 · 2026-06-19
- Secret Network's Axelar bridge drained for $4.67 million in exploitThe Block · Tier 2 · 2026-06-20
- Security Incident: Axelar<>Secret IBC Bridge Exploit — June 10, 2026Secret Network · Tier 1 · 2026-06-19
- Secret TunnelSecret Network · Tier 1 · 2026
- Axelar governance Proposal #490Axelar governance · Tier 1 · 2026-07-05
- Axelar and Secret Network AnnouncementAxelar · Tier 1 · 2022-07-13
Official URL status
Official URL recorded as live_verified: https://tunnel.scrt.network/Help maintain bridge history
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