# $KELP Catalyst Posts & Social Intelligence Recap — April 18, 2026

> **Asset:** $KELP  
> **Date:** 2026-04-18 (April 18, 2026)  
> **Canonical URL:** https://cryptitalk.com/tokens/kelp/2026-04-18  
> **Token Profile:** https://cryptitalk.com/tokens/kelp.md  
> **Market Rankings:** https://cryptitalk.com/rankings.md  

---



## Curated Viral Posts & Community Evidence


### Post #1 by @AggrNews
> **Author:** Aggr News ([@AggrNews](https://x.com/AggrNews))  
> **Metrics:** 364 likes · 139 retweets · 76 comments · 187.6K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T18:38:19+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/AggrNews/status/2045572650085339189](https://x.com/AggrNews/status/2045572650085339189)  


> 
> "KELPDAO'S LIQUID STAKING TOKEN POTENTIALLY EXPLOITED FOR OVER $100M: ONCHAIN"


### Post #2 by @D2_Finance
> **Author:** D2 Finance ([@D2_Finance](https://x.com/D2_Finance))  
> **Metrics:** 395 likes · 99 retweets · 62 comments · 125.5K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:07:37+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/D2_Finance/status/2045610222677528681](https://x.com/D2_Finance/status/2045610222677528681)  


> 
> "Root cause now fully on-chain.

The rsETH OFT Adapter on mainnet trusted a LayerZero message from EID 30320, peer 0xc3eACf06…09f58, and released 116,500 rsETH ($293.5M) from escrow in a single lzReceive call.

LayerZero Scan labels that source peer “Kelp DAO.” Meaning it was"


### Post #3 by @senamakel
> **Author:** Steven Enamakel ([@senamakel](https://x.com/senamakel))  
> **Metrics:** 379 likes · 95 retweets · 34 comments · 102.7K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:03:22+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/senamakel/status/2045609152547086382](https://x.com/senamakel/status/2045609152547086382)  


> 
> "the issue with the 
@KelpDAO
 280m$ hack was that it was just secured by just 1/1 validator set (DVN) on 
@LayerZero_Core
 . Which means one faulty transaction from a validator is all that's needed.

my belief is that the root cause was possibly that the LZ validator on Unichain was"


### Post #4 by @TedPillows
> **Author:** Ted ([@TedPillows](https://x.com/TedPillows))  
> **Metrics:** 465 likes · 56 retweets · 76 comments · 46.0K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:10:12+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/TedPillows/status/2045625973060592080](https://x.com/TedPillows/status/2045625973060592080)  


> 
> "People ask why it’s a bad day for DeFi?

Kelp DAO just lost $293M in the largest hack of 2026.

But zoom out:
$600M+ stolen in 2 weeks.
10+ protocols compromised.
AI is lowering the barrier for attackers.

Biggest hacks:
Kelp (bridge exploit → Aave impact)
Drift ($285M, AI"


### Post #5 by @0xQuit
> **Author:** Quit ([@0xQuit](https://x.com/0xQuit))  
> **Metrics:** 88 likes · 16 retweets · 12 comments · 43.4K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:36:56+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/0xQuit/status/2045632698753093892](https://x.com/0xQuit/status/2045632698753093892)  


> 
> "from what I can tell re: kelp dao, this seems to be a combination of a 1-of-1 dvn setup and a compromised layerzero dvn. Apechain and other protocols with at least 2 required DVNs should be unaffected, but might be worth pausing out of an abundance of caution."


### Post #6 by @Icebergy
> **Author:** icebergy ([@Icebergy](https://x.com/Icebergy))  
> **Metrics:** 184 likes · 6 retweets · 13 comments · 26.2K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:13:23+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/Icebergy/status/2045596576534458769](https://x.com/Icebergy/status/2045596576534458769)  


> 
> "why was there 300m in kelpdao? and why tf was it listed on aave?"


### Post #7 by @SteakhouseFi
> **Author:** Steakhouse Financial ([@SteakhouseFi](https://x.com/SteakhouseFi))  
> **Metrics:** 87 likes · 13 retweets · 9 comments · 20.0K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T19:52:22+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/SteakhouseFi/status/2045591284069568895](https://x.com/SteakhouseFi/status/2045591284069568895)  


> 
> "There is no exposure from Kelp on any Steakhouse vaults or products on any chain.

At 18:40 UTC we picked up a potential exploit on rsETH from Kelp. We removed all residual exposure (dust <$0.01 on Smokehouse ETH on mainnet) by 18:52 UTC and supply caps of the vaults put to"


### Post #8 by @_SEAL_Org
> **Author:** Security Alliance ([@_SEAL_Org](https://x.com/_SEAL_Org))  
> **Metrics:** 110 likes · 24 retweets · 5 comments · 17.8K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:28:00+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/_SEAL_Org/status/2045600254838407359](https://x.com/_SEAL_Org/status/2045600254838407359)  


> 
> "SEAL is coordinating an active investigation into the ongoing incident involving Kelp DAO along with all relevant stakeholders. If you have information to share or are able to assist in freezing/recovering funds, please reach out at"


### Post #9 by @officer_secret
> **Author:** Vladimir S. | Officer's Notes ([@officer_secret](https://x.com/officer_secret))  
> **Metrics:** 167 likes · 17 retweets · 12 comments · 16.5K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:31:28+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/officer_secret/status/2045616225812623626](https://x.com/officer_secret/status/2045616225812623626)  


> 
> "The issue with the 
@KelpDAO
 280m$ hack was that it was just secured by just 1/1 validator set (DVN) on 
@LayerZero_Core
 . Which means one faulty transaction from a validator is all that's needed.

What the actual fuck?! What’s the point of multisig if it is 1/1?!"


### Post #10 by @delitzer
> **Author:** Dan Elitzer ([@delitzer](https://x.com/delitzer))  
> **Metrics:** 53 likes · 3 retweets · 9 comments · 10.7K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:12:32+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/delitzer/status/2045611461523992894](https://x.com/delitzer/status/2045611461523992894)  


> 
> "Ok, so now looking like it comes down to how losses are socialized by KelpDAO, which then impacts backing of rsETH on Aave. This is messy."


### Post #11 by @apoorveth
> **Author:** apoorv.eth ([@apoorveth](https://x.com/apoorveth))  
> **Metrics:** 106 likes · 10 retweets · 10 comments · 10.3K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T23:13:00+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/apoorveth/status/2045641777206710616](https://x.com/apoorveth/status/2045641777206710616)  


> 
> "my openclaw made this

should make the Kelp rsETH bridge exploit easier to understand"


### Post #12 by @gauntlet_xyz
> **Author:** Gauntlet ([@gauntlet_xyz](https://x.com/gauntlet_xyz))  
> **Metrics:** 47 likes · 4 retweets · 47 comments · 9.5K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:13:11+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/gauntlet_xyz/status/2045596525150289969](https://x.com/gauntlet_xyz/status/2045596525150289969)  


> 
> "We are aware of the potential exploit regarding KelpDAO. Our optimization engine is already adapting to the expected market volatility.

Furthermore, the entire risk team is on deck, actively investigating and initiating risk-off actions as required as market conditions evolve."


### Post #13 by @Ricecooker38
> **Author:** Rice ([@Ricecooker38](https://x.com/Ricecooker38))  
> **Metrics:** 96 likes · 8 retweets · 4 comments · 6.8K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:36:47+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/Ricecooker38/status/2045602464250867735](https://x.com/Ricecooker38/status/2045602464250867735)  


> 
> "The duality of crypto is always so interesting to observe. on one hand u have a 290m kelpdao exploit. on the other side, u have “the next 1b runner”

two wildly different sentiments occurring at the same time on the same chain. and the participants affected by each phenomenon are"


### Post #14 by @HypurrFi
> **Author:** HypurrFi ([@HypurrFi](https://x.com/HypurrFi))  
> **Metrics:** 45 likes · 13 retweets · 45 comments · 6.6K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:48:35+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/HypurrFi/status/2045620533467676908](https://x.com/HypurrFi/status/2045620533467676908)  


> 
> "Due to today's KelpDAO rsETH exploit via LayerZero:
• HypurrFi is unaffected
• However, out of an abundance of caution and following the lead of the USDe and USDT0 teams taking action to pause their bridges, we’ve frozen the USDT0 and USDe markets on Pooled temporarily
•"


### Post #15 by @EgyHashX
> **Author:** محمد المصري ([@EgyHashX](https://x.com/EgyHashX))  
> **Metrics:** 79 likes · 3 retweets · 7 comments · 6.4K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:32:10+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/EgyHashX/status/2045616402195705910](https://x.com/EgyHashX/status/2045616402195705910)  


> 
> "جسر عملة rsETH الخاص بمشروع Kelp DAO اتعرض لاختراق من شوية واتسرق منه ما قيمته +290 مليون دولار.

الجسر ده شغال بتقنيات LayerZero"


### Post #16 by @belizardd
> **Author:** defizard ([@belizardd](https://x.com/belizardd))  
> **Metrics:** 23 likes · 0 retweets · 4 comments · 5.0K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:36:12+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/belizardd/status/2045602317043749017](https://x.com/belizardd/status/2045602317043749017)  


> 
> "Kelp was one of the protocols I promoted back in 2024. I went deep into the concept and refused a payment in stablecoins... I was bullish on LSTs.

We agreed with someone from the team on the $KELP allocation. No contracts were signed, just a chat on TG.

After fulfilling my"


### Post #17 by @NewsAsset
> **Author:** Digital Asset News ([@NewsAsset](https://x.com/NewsAsset))  
> **Metrics:** 26 likes · 2 retweets · 11 comments · 3.7K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:22:24+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/NewsAsset/status/2045613941888594198](https://x.com/NewsAsset/status/2045613941888594198)  


> 
> "Another day another hack. This is why clarity must pass. Large institutions are more afraid of losing ALL their clients money and getting sued as opposed to getting fat gains. Kelp DAO exploited for $293 MILLION making it the biggest DeFi hack of 2026. Have a great weekend."


### Post #18 by @grebby
> **Author:** greb ([@grebby](https://x.com/grebby))  
> **Metrics:** 76 likes · 1 retweets · 13 comments · 2.6K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T18:44:15+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/grebby/status/2045574142725148780](https://x.com/grebby/status/2045574142725148780)  


> 
> "KELPDAO'S LIQUID STAKING TOKEN POTENTIALLY EXPLOITED FOR OVER $100M: ONCHAIN"


### Post #19 by @unfinished_kek
> **Author:** unfinished ([@unfinished_kek](https://x.com/unfinished_kek))  
> **Metrics:** 12 likes · 1 retweets · 2 comments · 2.2K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T23:17:25+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/unfinished_kek/status/2045642888810525067](https://x.com/unfinished_kek/status/2045642888810525067)  


> 
> "when deploying OFTs on 
@LayerZero_Core
, devs are responsible to securely configure it with DVN etc. obviously 
@KelpDAO
 didn't pay attention to it"


### Post #20 by @SiloFinance
> **Author:** Silo Labs | V3 Live ([@SiloFinance](https://x.com/SiloFinance))  
> **Metrics:** 16 likes · 2 retweets · 34 comments · 2.1K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:37:51+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/SiloFinance/status/2045617829987164323](https://x.com/SiloFinance/status/2045617829987164323)  


> 
> "Update on Kelp DAO rsETH bridge incident:

The attacker did not borrow ETH on Silo. 

Two vaults have exposure to rsETH and related assets (e.g. agETH, hgETH).

Risk was isolated to the rsETH market thanks to Silo’s design — no spillover to other markets.

We acted immediately:"


### Post #21 by @paladin_eth
> **Author:** Steven Pack | RockSolid ([@paladin_eth](https://x.com/paladin_eth))  
> **Metrics:** 14 likes · 1 retweets · 3 comments · 1.7K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:16:17+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/paladin_eth/status/2045627505777021183](https://x.com/paladin_eth/status/2045627505777021183)  


> 
> "So ~$200M of rsETH released during a bridge with no corresponding burn, supplied to Aave on Arbitrum and Mainnet and borrowed against.

With rsETH missing ~12% of its backing. Aave holds the bag (bad debt), but some combination of Kelp/LayerZero likely the cause.

Scenarios?

-"


### Post #22 by @OctavioNotPunk
> **Author:** Octave (Jump Further) ([@OctavioNotPunk](https://x.com/OctavioNotPunk))  
> **Metrics:** 10 likes · 3 retweets · 0 comments · 1.0K views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T19:59:26+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/OctavioNotPunk/status/2045593066501812553](https://x.com/OctavioNotPunk/status/2045593066501812553)  


> 
> "You can withdraw your Kelp vaults position from 
@jumperapp
 earn UI directly. We also disabled the deposit. 

All the other exposed vaults: rsETH and Aave v3 WETH are not available on Jumper UI."


### Post #23 by @Cryptking_1
> **Author:** Cryptking.eth ([@Cryptking_1](https://x.com/Cryptking_1))  
> **Metrics:** 34 likes · 1 retweets · 23 comments · 636 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T23:33:40+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/Cryptking_1/status/2045646976121749897](https://x.com/Cryptking_1/status/2045646976121749897)  


> 
> "$292M Kelp DAO Exploit

$292M Kelp DAO Exploit that happened today is clocking in as the biggest crypto exploit of 2026.

116,500 rsETH drained (around 18% of its circulating supply).

At least 9 protocols affected (Aave, SparkLend, Fluid, Upshift).

Aave froze rsETH"


### Post #24 by @sashahodler
> **Author:** Sasha Hodder ([@sashahodler](https://x.com/sashahodler))  
> **Metrics:** 19 likes · 1 retweets · 7 comments · 605 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:31:30+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/sashahodler/status/2045631334865928664](https://x.com/sashahodler/status/2045631334865928664)  


> 
> "$293 MILLION has been drained from Kelp DAO.

Nobody knows if it's an AI exploit or an insider cashing out.

Crypto is still brutally unforgiving."


### Post #25 by @Ikh011
> **Author:** Ibrahim ([@Ikh011](https://x.com/Ikh011))  
> **Metrics:** 6 likes · 1 retweets · 2 comments · 589 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:49:47+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/Ikh011/status/2045605734528803016](https://x.com/Ikh011/status/2045605734528803016)  


> 
> "Kelp is the 2nd biggest Liquid Restaking protocol btw

EtherFi, Kelp, EigenLayer, Babylon, Renzo - same shit that attracted liquidity last year via airdrop and nice APR

Dare I say that you should be cautious if you're a user of any protocol listed above"


### Post #26 by @hryhorii77
> **Author:** Greg.base.eth ([@hryhorii77](https://x.com/hryhorii77))  
> **Metrics:** 12 likes · 3 retweets · 2 comments · 586 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:49:17+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/hryhorii77/status/2045605609030946874](https://x.com/hryhorii77/status/2045605609030946874)  


> 
> "rsETH markets (V3 & V4) on 
@aave
 frozen due to 
@KelpDAO
 rsETH bridge exploit.

Aave contracts safe. No new deposits or borrowing against rsETH for now"


### Post #27 by @zeidside
> **Author:** zeidside ([@zeidside](https://x.com/zeidside))  
> **Metrics:** 11 likes · 0 retweets · 2 comments · 537 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T19:51:14+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/zeidside/status/2045591000492515745](https://x.com/zeidside/status/2045591000492515745)  


> 
> "Looks like 
@KelpDAO
 just got exploited for like 250 million dollars and I'm gonna be honest here I probably just need to exit all defi stuff and find a new hobby"


### Post #28 by @0xcoinn
> **Author:** ً ([@0xcoinn](https://x.com/0xcoinn))  
> **Metrics:** 15 likes · 0 retweets · 0 comments · 532 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:57:41+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/0xcoinn/status/2045622822001893822](https://x.com/0xcoinn/status/2045622822001893822)  


> 
> "zachxbt is currently twapping kelp dao money into asteriod 

steady lads"


### Post #29 by @ipor_io
> **Author:** Fusion (by IPOR) ([@ipor_io](https://x.com/ipor_io))  
> **Metrics:** 8 likes · 2 retweets · 1 comments · 532 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T23:52:12+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/ipor_io/status/2045651640074571781](https://x.com/ipor_io/status/2045651640074571781)  


> 
> "Following our earlier update on the Aave/Kelp situation:

IPOR DAO Fusion vaults hold no exposure to the affected Aave instance.

Withdrawal requests on the IPOR DAO stETH looping vault are queued while supply-side liquidity normalizes across ETH markets. Requests will clear as"


### Post #30 by @GrabowskiDylan
> **Author:** DylanΞGra₿owski ([@GrabowskiDylan](https://x.com/GrabowskiDylan))  
> **Metrics:** 4 likes · 1 retweets · 2 comments · 529 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:55:18+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/GrabowskiDylan/status/2045637320863564058](https://x.com/GrabowskiDylan/status/2045637320863564058)  


> 
> "Another DAO I’ve never heard of ripples through to one of blockchain’s largest DeFi platforms

Aave is so grizzled that it seems this is hardly existential

KelpDAO tho… 116.5k rsETH (~$292m) stolen via LayerZero-powered bridge

2nd largest hack this year; both in past 3 weeks"


### Post #31 by @Yay_Global
> **Author:** Yay! Global ([@Yay_Global](https://x.com/Yay_Global))  
> **Metrics:** 6 likes · 3 retweets · 1 comments · 268 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T23:10:20+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/Yay_Global/status/2045641107774775531](https://x.com/Yay_Global/status/2045641107774775531)  


> 
> "[Important] Notice Regarding Kelp Protocol Security Incident (April 19, 2026)
Thank you for using Yay! Staking.
On April 18, 2026, an external attacker exploited the LayerZero bridge of Kelp DAO, the protocol we partner with for our ETH staking feature. Approximately 116,500"


### Post #32 by @irlrmj
> **Author:** RMJ ([@irlrmj](https://x.com/irlrmj))  
> **Metrics:** 2 likes · 0 retweets · 1 comments · 257 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T19:24:06+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/irlrmj/status/2045584172186587437](https://x.com/irlrmj/status/2045584172186587437)  


> 
> "these attacks are happening during the weekends when peoples’ attention is elsewhere. hoping 
@KelpDAO
 is able to freeze/reverse some of this"


### Post #33 by @NikhilOnChain
> **Author:** Nik ([@NikhilOnChain](https://x.com/NikhilOnChain))  
> **Metrics:** 8 likes · 0 retweets · 5 comments · 251 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T21:54:51+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/NikhilOnChain/status/2045622110198829108](https://x.com/NikhilOnChain/status/2045622110198829108)  


> 
> "$600M worth of 14 crypto hacks happened in 2 weeks, today Kelp DAO hack with biggest DeFi hack of 2026  

Kelp DAO appears to have been exploited for $293M today, used the LayerZero bridge to drain 116,500 rsETH ($293M), then used it as collateral on Aave to borrow ETH, leaving"


### Post #34 by @mintface
> **Author:** MintFace ([@mintface](https://x.com/mintface))  
> **Metrics:** 3 likes · 0 retweets · 1 comments · 230 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T22:22:57+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/mintface/status/2045629179866255479](https://x.com/mintface/status/2045629179866255479)  


> 
> "Ok I’m on KelpDao website… what next"


### Post #35 by @4ormund
> **Author:** Paul Warren ([@4ormund](https://x.com/4ormund))  
> **Metrics:** 4 likes · 0 retweets · 1 comments · 156 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:01:23+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/4ormund/status/2045593556098879709](https://x.com/4ormund/status/2045593556098879709)  


> 
> "either 
@KelpDAO
 the next in a rough line of random recent exploits, or the mythos / DPRK crowd are creating systemic risk for defi"


### Post #36 by @CyversAlerts
> **Author:** Cyvers Alerts ([@CyversAlerts](https://x.com/CyversAlerts))  
> **Metrics:** 5 likes · 3 retweets · 0 comments · 94 views  

> **Posted:** 2026-04-18T20:12:03+00:00  


> **Source Link:** [https://x.com/CyversAlerts/status/2045596240809791503](https://x.com/CyversAlerts/status/2045596240809791503)  


> 
> "$293M EXPLOIT DETECTED: Cyvers AI systems have identified a massive attack on 
@KelpDAO
 .

Our platform flagged the breach in real-time, tracking ~$293.7M drained from the protocol's RSETH Adapter. Currently, ~$250M has already been swapped to $ETH and is held across two"




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