A brand new research by Bybit’s Lazarus Safety Lab has revealed that 16 main blockchain networks can freeze customers’ crypto on-chain. This functionality permits blockchain foundations or validators to step in and limit transactions, thereby difficult the core precept of decentralization. Whereas these freezing mechanisms are sometimes employed to forestall hacks, and different safety dangers, additionally they elevate considerations about management, transparency, and the potential reintroduction of centralized authority in decentralized networks. Bybit has disclosed that its analysis report is the primary large-scale investigation to determine which blockchains possess freezing capabilities and the way they function.
Bybit Exposes Blockchains With Crypto-Freezing Powers
In a Press Launch, Bybit launched a brand new analysis, unveiling blockchains with fund freezing mechanisms and analyzing the affect these capabilities have within the DeFi area. The research analyzed a complete of 166 totally different blockchain networks and located that 16 at present possess crypto freezing powers, whereas 19 might assist comparable capabilities sooner or later.
To hold out this analysis, Bybit’s Lazarus Safety Lab crew utilized an AI agent to filter blockchains by in-depth guide code evaluations, as most networks don’t overtly doc these options.
The analysis crew categorized the freezing capabilities of the 16 blockchain networks into three predominant mechanisms:
- Hardcoded Freezing: It’s embedded straight in blockchain’s core code, seen in networks like Chiliz (CHZ), Viction (VIC), XDC Community (XDC), Binance Coin (BNB), and VeChain (VET).
- Configuration-based Freezing: Managed by validator or basis settings, present in Concord (ONE), Havah (HVH), SUPRA, APTOS (APT), EOS, Oasis (ROSE), WAX (WAXP), SUI, LINEA, and WAVES.
- On-chain Freezing: Executed by way of system-level contracts, current in blockchains like Huobi ECO Chain (HECO).
Bybit has reported that fund freezing happens when a blockchain locks a consumer’s property with out their consent. They spotlight that these capabilities give these networks a stage of management just like that of conventional banks. The crew has additionally emphasised that the analysis goals to supply better transparency on blockchains whereas laying the groundwork for future research and danger assessments within the digital asset business.
Actual Circumstances Of Blockchain Fund Freezing
Bybit’s Lazarus Safety Lab crew has additionally highlighted real-world incidents the place crypto freezing was used to guard customers and mitigate losses. Notably, in 2025, the SUI Basis froze $162 million in property following the Cetus Protocol hack in Might, which resulted in a lack of over $220 million. Following this, Aptos added blacklisting capabilities to its community.
In 2022, the BNB Chain used hardcoded blacklists to comprise a $570 million bridge exploit, stopping the attacker from accessing the funds. Notably, in 2019, VeChain set an early precedent by freezing funds after a $6.1 million breach. In the meantime, Cosmos’s modular account design might permit comparable interventions sooner or later.
These instances show how fund-freezing capabilities can act as emergency instruments throughout large-scale safety incidents. Bybit factors out that though centralization stays a priority, many networks are implementing sensible security measures, even when they problem the precept of full decentralization, which is the core tenet of blockchain know-how.
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