Anchor Protocol (Defunct)
Lending ProtocolsBy Danny Allan
Founder & lead analyst, CryptoWatchdog · former Complaints Manager at Crypto.com
20 April 2026· Updated 7 June 2026
Anchor Protocol (Defunct) was a decentralised finance (DeFi) platform that promised an unsustainable 20% annual percentage yield (APY) on stablecoin deposits. It gained notoriety for its collapse in May 2022, which coincided with the catastrophic de-pegging of the Terra (UST) stablecoin. The platform's offering has since become a cautionary tale in the crypto space, highlighting the inherent risks of exceptionally high, guaranteed returns in decentralised finance.
📥 Deposits
No deposits — protocol effectively dead.
📤 Withdrawals
When UST de-pegged, $40bn evaporated in 72 hours. Most depositors lost 99%+.
💸 Fees
N/A — defunct.
Detailed Audit
scoring
{"fees":"See breakdown","team":"Opaque or absent","custody":"Fail","recourse":"Effectively none","regulation":"Concerning","transparency":"Fail","security_history":"User losses","product_integrity":"Mis-sold or structurally flawed"}
last tested
2026-04-21
review date
2026-04-21
scam or legit
High risk (Red)
framework version
8-point v2026.04
✅ Pros
- None — historical reference only
❌ Cons
- Caused $40bn in losses
- Unsustainable subsidised yield
- Algorithmic stablecoin death spiral
- Founder Do Kwon convicted
What you get
Security & Custody
Custody arrangements show material weakness. User funds or data face structural risk that simple due-diligence cannot mitigate.
Transparency & Reporting
Disclosure is missing, contradictory, or unverifiable. Marketing claims do not match what we could confirm from primary sources.
Regulatory Posture
Active enforcement, sanctions, jurisdictional avoidance, or unlicensed offering of regulated products. Not safe for retail in most regions.
Operational Track Record
Track record includes user losses, paused withdrawals, defaulted obligations, or undisclosed losses that materially harm participants.
Fees, Spreads & Hidden Costs
We checked headline fees against effective costs (spread, slippage, withdrawal mins, FX markups). Full numbers are in the breakdown below.
User Recourse
Recourse is effectively absent. There is no realistic path to recover funds in dispute or insolvency scenarios.
Who it's for
Not recommended for retail users. Existing users should review safer alternatives below and plan accordingly.
3 / 100
Trust Score
RED
Rating
Apr 2026
Last Audited
8-point
Framework
🔒 Verify, don't trust
Always confirm the official URL, never share seed phrases or private keys, and treat any unsolicited DM about Anchor Protocol (Defunct) as a phishing attempt by default.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anchor Protocol (Defunct) a scam?+
We rate Anchor Protocol (Defunct) as high-risk. Whether it meets the legal definition of a scam varies by jurisdiction; either way we do not recommend participation.
Is Anchor Protocol (Defunct) safe to use in 2026?+
No. We rate it RED and recommend avoiding new deposits. Existing users should review the alternatives section and plan an exit strategy.
Who holds custody of my funds?+
Custody model is detailed in the audit section. If you cannot answer this question in one sentence about any platform, do not deposit.
How does Anchor Protocol (Defunct) make money?+
See the fees and revenue breakdown in the audit. Understanding the business model is the single best fraud-detection tool for any platform.
How was this trust score calculated?+
Using our public 8-point framework: custody, transparency, regulation, security, fees, recourse, team, and product integrity. Full methodology at /methodology.
When was this review last updated?+
Last audited April 2026. We re-audit on incident, on material disclosure changes, and at least every 6 months.
Disclaimer
This review is based on publicly available information, community reports, and our own testing at the time of writing. It is not financial advice. Always do your own research before using any crypto platform. Ratings and Trust Scores can change as new information emerges.
