Token Approvals & Revoking: How Wallets Get Drained "Legally"

Many drains are not stolen keys — they are an "unlimited approval" you signed. Understanding and revoking approvals is a key defense.

What an Approval Is

To use a dApp (like a DEX) on Ethereum-style chains, you "approve" a contract to move a given token on your behalf so it can trade for you. The catch: many dApps request "unlimited" approval by default — if that contract is buggy or outright malicious, it can move all of that token out of your wallet at any time.

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Approve a "limited amount" rather than unlimited when possible. 2) Periodically use an approval-checker/revoke tool to review and revoke approvals you no longer need. 3) Only interact with trusted, audited dApps. 4) Keep large holdings in a separate "vault" wallet and use a small "burner" wallet for daily interactions to isolate risk.