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Brazilian cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin plans to restore limited customer access on Monday following a security breach that blockchain analysts estimate involved more than USD 46 million in stolen assets. The company has pledged to cover affected balances while strengthening its systems.
According to Mercado Bitcoin's statement, the first recovery phase will allow customers to access its website and inspect balances, account statements, investments and cryptocurrency holdings.
However, customers will not immediately regain the ability to trade, transfer assets or withdraw funds. Those services will return in subsequent stages, depending on independent security testing.
The exchange has not provided a definitive timetable for restoring full operations.
Mercado Bitcoin said cooperation with industry participants has helped freeze more than USD 15 million associated with the theft. That represents approximately one-third of the reported USD 46 million loss estimate, although the final financial impact remains uncertain.
The company promised to replenish affected customer assets using its resources rather than waiting exclusively for stolen funds to be recovered.
“Our trading desk is preparing to begin the necessary repurchases in domestic and international markets,” the exchange said. Such purchases could help replace missing cryptocurrencies, but the company has not disclosed their expected cost or completion date.
The breach, disclosed earlier Monday, reportedly involved attackers moving cryptocurrencies from company hot wallets and customer deposit addresses through standard blockchain transfers.
Hot wallets remain connected to online systems, making them useful for routine exchange operations but potentially vulnerable when security controls are compromised. The precise attack method and number of affected customers remain undisclosed.
Addressing concerns about its financial position, Mercado Bitcoin cited a USD 20 million investment from stablecoin issuer Tether intended to support operational expansion. The company described its cash position as strong, although that investment was not specifically designated for compensating hack victims.
For customers, the next milestones are independent security clearance, restored withdrawals and confirmation that missing assets have been replaced. Until then, read-only access offers visibility but not full control over funds.
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