List Of 16 Blockchains That Can Freeze Your Crypto On-Chain; Bybit Report

A brand new research by Bybit’s Lazarus Security Lab has revealed that 16 main blockchain networks can freeze customers’ crypto on-chain. This functionality permits blockchain foundations or validators to step in and restrict transactions, thereby difficult the core precept of decentralization. While these freezing mechanisms are sometimes employed to forestall hacks, and different safety dangers, in addition they elevate issues about management, transparency, and the potential reintroduction of centralized authority in decentralized networks. Bybit has disclosed that its analysis report is the primary large-scale investigation to establish which blockchains possess freezing capabilities and the way they function. 

Bybit Exposes Blockchains With Crypto-Freezing Powers

In a Press Release, Bybit launched a brand new analysis, unveiling blockchains with fund freezing mechanisms and inspecting the affect these capabilities have within the DeFi house. The research analyzed a complete of 166 completely different blockchain networks and located that 16 presently possess crypto freezing powers, whereas 19 might assist comparable capabilities sooner or later. 

To perform this analysis, Bybit’s Lazarus Security Lab staff utilized an AI agent to filter blockchains by means of in-depth handbook code critiques, as most networks don’t overtly doc these options. 

The analysis staff categorized the freezing capabilities of the 16 blockchain networks into three principal mechanisms:

• Hardcoded Freezing: It is embedded instantly in blockchain’s core code, seen in networks like Chiliz (CHZ), Viction (VIC), XDC Network (XDC), Binance Coin (BNB), and VeChain (VET).

• Configuration-based Freezing: Controlled by means of validator or basis settings, present in Harmony (ONE), Havah (HVH), SUPRA, APTOS (APT), EOS, Oasis (ROSE), WAX (WAXP), SUI, LINEA, and WAVES. 

• On-chain Freezing: Executed through system-level contracts, current in blockchains like Huobi ECO Chain (HECO). 

Bybit has reported that fund freezing happens when a blockchain locks a user’s assets without their consent. They spotlight that these capabilities give these networks a degree of management just like that of conventional banks. The staff has additionally emphasised that the analysis goals to offer better transparency on blockchains whereas laying the groundwork for future research and danger assessments within the digital asset trade. 

Real Cases Of Blockchain Fund Freezing

Bybit’s Lazarus Security Lab staff has additionally highlighted real-world incidents the place crypto freezing was used to guard customers and mitigate losses. Notably, in 2025, the SUI Foundation froze $162 million in property following the Cetus Protocol hack in May, which resulted in a (*16*). Following this, Aptos added blacklisting capabilities to its community. 

In 2022, the BNB Chain used hardcoded blacklists to include a $570 million bridge exploit, stopping the attacker from accessing the funds. Notably, in 2019, VeChain set an early precedent by freezing funds after a $6.1 million breach. Meanwhile, Cosmos’s modular account design might permit comparable interventions sooner or later. 

These instances show how fund-freezing capabilities can act as emergency instruments throughout large-scale security incidents. Bybit factors out that though centralization stays a priority, many networks are implementing sensible security measures, even when they problem the precept of full decentralization, which is the core tenet of blockchain know-how.