Cryptocurrency exchange platform, EtherDelta, tweeted a pre-Christmas warning for its users not to use their site. They reported that their DNS server had been hacked and was subsequently compromised, as the unknown attacker was believed to have created a duplicate copy of EtherDelta's domain.

The company is investigating the problem, described as a phishing site which launched a copy of the official ED platform, but which lacked both ED's official Twitter feed link, and the chat button they have on their navigation bar. More critically, the phishing site also had faked order books, which were dangerous to ED users. Services were suspended by EtherDelta following the hack, for site security and the safety of its users.

This latest hack highlights the underlying problem of decentralised ledger transactions. Cryptocurrency's inherent appeal rests to a great extent precisely on its decentralisation, and its associated freedom of movement and anonymity. But the very lack of a transparent, centralised authority does mean that there is currently very little users can do in the event of such assaults, as has been shown by the rise in ransomware and increased malicious hacking towards the end of 2017.

EtherDelta have tried to limit the assault as best they can, by providing a video to users showing instructions for safe transference of their funds.