As 2025 draws to a close, the crypto world struggles to catch its breath. In a climate saturated with volatility and scandals, one thing persists: hacks. The latest episode? The official PEPE site, a famous memecoin, was compromised. An alert that no longer surprises anyone but continues to cause damage. Investors oscillate between fatigue and denial, while hackers refine their traps. And once again, they used an old acquaintance: Inferno Drainer.
In brief
- •The PEPE site redirected to a fake portal designed to empty connected crypto wallets.
- •Inferno Drainer, a hacking tool announced dead, now infects 2,400 DApps per week.
- •Despite the attack, the PEPE token price rose 4% in 24 hours.
- •Hackers exploit legitimate interfaces to deceive less aware crypto users.
When a Stillborn Tool is Reborn: The PEPE Case and the "Ghost" Inferno Drainer
Blockaid, a cybersecurity company, detected malicious code on the official PEPE site. This front-end compromise redirects visitors to a fake site, which empties wallets by injecting an invisible script. The most ironic part? The incriminated software, Inferno Drainer, had announced its “retirement” at the end of 2023.
But in 2024, the tool has tripled in intensity: from 800 infected DApps per week to 2,400, according to Blockaid.
Blockaid’s system identified a front-end attack on Pepe. The site contains code similar to Inferno Drainer.
Blockaid
Scammers no longer settle for clones. They hack the original interface, taking advantage of users’ familiarity with official platforms. The bait? Airdrops, fake rewards, bogus bonuses. The legitimate appearance deceives, and transaction permissions are granted… without thought.
The sneakiest part? These scripts activate as soon as a wallet is connected, requiring no visible action. Essentially, the user is validating the plundering of their own funds. PEPE is not the only target. Other crypto projects have also been attacked via this insidious method, notably through X, with fraudulent links published on hijacked accounts.
Why the Crypto Market Remains Unmoved: PEPE, Leak, but No Panic
Despite this hack, the PEPE price rose 4% over 24 hours. A striking contrast with the severity of the attack. No free fall, no panic on forums. Over a year, the token has lost more than 77% of its value. The explanation? The goldfish effect of the crypto market.
The memecoin universe, fueled by speculation, poorly absorbs weak signals. As long as volatility is profitable, incidents take a back seat. No statement from the PEPE project has yet been published, but platforms continue to offer the token with no particular alert.
Several experts highlight a latent danger: reputation effects may emerge later on, impacting liquidity and liquidation thresholds on some platforms. Some exchanges might revise their risk metrics, affecting the market deeper.
Users are on the front line. Protections exist: security extensions, cross-checking links, rejecting automatic connections… but few apply them. In a world where a simple click can empty everything, caution remains a minority.
Key Figures to Remember in the Crypto World
- •2,400 new DApps infected by Inferno Drainer each week in 2024;
- •PEPE: +4% in 24h despite the attack;
- •Current PEPE price: $0.000004449;
- •-77% performance for PEPE over the last 12 months;
- •The exploit targeted the front-end, making the original site dangerous without any visual clue;
- •Blockaid initiated the alert, but no public response from the PEPE project to date.
Unlike this PEPE case, a light pierced elsewhere: Yearn Finance developers managed to recover $2.4 million stolen through an unprecedented rescue mission. It shows that even in the shadow of hacks, some crypto teams keep fighting.