MetaMask security scare pushes Ethereum validator exits to a nine-month high
MetaMask is precautionarily exiting about 17,000 Ethereum validators holding roughly 523,000 ETH after a security breach allegedly redirected block-fee rewards from 18 of 19 affected validators. A researcher says the attacker diverted only about 0.36 ETH, but the breach’s cause and whether validator signing keys were exposed remain unknown. MetaMask has confirmed an infrastructure compromise but has not verified the reported scale or disclosed whether slashing occurred; it says wallet funds face no immediate threat. The exits have contributed to an Ethereum queue of about 773,447 ETH, with an estimated 13-day exit wait plus a 7.6-day withdrawal sweep. Lido estimates MetaMask-linked validators may take up to 45 days to exit and potentially re-enter the network.
