RUNE Surges 15% as THORChain Resumes Most Cross‑Chain Swaps After Weekend Halt

Why the Refund Bug Caused a Market Shock

A sudden 15‑percent jump in the price of THORChain’s native token, RUNE, followed the protocol’s decision to lift trading restrictions on Bitcoin, Ethereum and several other blockchains after a technical glitch halted swaps over the weekend. The move, announced on Thursday, restored liquidity to the majority of supported networks, leaving only three chains paused for further investigation.

The halt was triggered by a refund bug that caused users to lose confidence in the platform’s ability to process cross‑chain swaps safely. In response, the THORChain team paused all activity to audit the issue and prevent further losses. After a comprehensive review, the developers confirmed the bug was isolated and rolled out a fix that re‑enabled swaps on most chains, sparking a rapid rally in RUNE’s market value.

How THORChain’s Recovery Affects Cross‑Chain DeFi

The refund bug was discovered when users attempting to swap assets were unable to retrieve their funds, leading to a sudden spike in withdrawal requests and network congestion. The protocol’s automated safeguards detected irregularities, triggering a temporary shutdown across all supported chains to protect user assets. This pause coincided with a broader market downturn, amplifying the impact on RUNE’s price.

Once the team verified the fix, they announced a phased re‑enablement of swaps. Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest networks, were restored first, followed by several smaller chains. The decision to pause only three chains—Polkadot, Cosmos, and Solana—was based on ongoing security reviews. The swift restoration of liquidity reassured traders, driving a surge in demand for RUNE as the primary governance and liquidity token.

What Happens Next for the Paused Chains?

THORChain’s ability to facilitate seamless swaps between disparate blockchains is a cornerstone of decentralized finance (DeFi). The protocol’s liquidity pools, powered by RUNE, enable users to trade assets without intermediaries. By resuming swaps on most networks, THORChain re‑established its role as a critical infrastructure provider for cross‑chain liquidity.

The incident highlighted the importance of robust auditing and rapid response protocols in DeFi ecosystems. It also underscored the market’s sensitivity to technical disruptions, especially when they involve large liquidity pools. Investors now watch closely as THORChain continues to monitor the paused chains, hoping for a full restoration that could further lift RUNE’s valuation.

The three remaining chains—Polkadot, Cosmos, and Solana—remain offline pending additional security checks. The THORChain team has committed to a transparent update schedule, promising to notify users once each chain is deemed safe for trading. In the meantime, liquidity providers are urged to adjust their positions to mitigate risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the pause extends, it could influence the broader DeFi landscape by reducing available liquidity for users seeking cross‑chain swaps. Conversely, a successful re‑enablement could boost confidence in THORChain’s resilience, potentially attracting new liquidity providers and increasing RUNE’s market cap.

Q: Which chains have been restored for trading? A: Bitcoin and Ethereum were re‑enabled first, followed by several smaller networks; only Polkadot, Cosmos, and Solana remain paused.