Nov 24, 2025
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Corrupted Transaction Causes Cardano Network Disruption on November 21, 2025
Cardano experienced a network disruption on November 21, 2025, due to a corrupted transaction targeting Charles Hoskinson's personal stake pool. This incident was initiated by a stake pool operator who followed AI-generated instructions, leading to a network split for several hours.
- The malformed transaction exploited a cryptographic library bug from 2022, causing newer nodes to misinterpret it while older nodes rejected it.
- This chain split affected block production, validators, DeFi protocols, and users, revealing vulnerabilities in the system.
- The operator admitted the error was due to poor judgment and claimed no financial motives or intention to harm the network.
- Charles Hoskinson argued the act was intentional, citing the operator's previous involvement in hostile groups against Cardano.
- Law enforcement is involved, turning the event into a criminal investigation.
- The community remains divided over whether this was reckless experimentation or deliberate sabotage.
The incident exposed how a single transaction could disrupt the entire ecosystem, prompting discussions on future security measures.
