# Kraken cryptocurrency exchange dusting attack > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kraken-cryptocurrency-exchange-dusting-attack > Updated: 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Between August 17 and August 24, 2026, the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken was targeted by a coordinated “dust attack” involving approximately 12,000 unsolicited micro-transfers to customer-linked addresses. Although the monetary value of these transactions was negligible, the influx caused a temporary collapse in Kraken’s compliance monitoring systems. Arkham Intelligence attributed the sending wallet to the HTX exchange. Kraken characterized the incident as an attempt to spread UK- and EU-sanctioned funds to trigger automated compliance reviews and cause operational disruption. As a result, Kraken temporarily restricted several customer accounts to conduct reviews; while access has since been restored, the exchange is holding the disputed funds separately due to their connection to flagged wallets. HTX has denied initiating the transfers, stating it is investigating whether the wallet was misattributed or if the activity was the work of a malicious third party. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-28: Kraken compliance systems disrupted by dusting attacks Kraken's compliance systems faced a temporary disruption following a series of “dusting attacks” involving 12,000 micro-deposits linked to an HTX wallet. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kraken-compliance-systems-disrupted-by-dusting-attacks ### 2026-08-25: Kraken hit by 12,000 dust transfers linked to sanctioned HTX wallets Kraken temporarily froze customer accounts following a “dust attack” of 12,000 micro-transfers linked to sanctioned HTX wallets, intended to trigger compliance reviews and cause disruption. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kraken-restricts-accounts-following-12000-htx-linked-dust-attack-transfers --- Cite as: Kraken cryptocurrency exchange dusting attack. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kraken-cryptocurrency-exchange-dusting-attack