
Overview
In the first half of 2025, cryptocurrency investors faced losses over $2.1 billion due to various hacks, a record for security breaches in the crypto realm. This alarming trend signifies that state-sponsored cyber campaigns are increasing within the crypto industry.
- Notable Statistics:
- Hackers took over $2.1 billion in the initial six months of the year — the highest recorded.
- North Korean-linked groups were accountable for $1.6 billion, which is 70% of the total stolen funds.
- The largest theft to date, amounting to $1.5 billion, involved the Bybit platform, attributed to North Korea.
A report from TRM Labs released on June 27 emphasizes the growing sophistication and volume of such attacks.
Findings
The report indicates:
- North Korean groups’ attacks comprised the majority of the total hack losses.
- The Bybit hack in February marked a substantial increase in the average size of attacks.
- In addition to North Korea, other international groups are also conducting attacks, highlighting a broader geopolitical struggle within the cybersecurity landscape.
Current strategies employed by hackers reveal an evolution towards infrastructure-level breaches, illustrating that attackers are adapting quickly to better exploit vulnerabilities.
“Attack vectors are quickly changing. Over 80% of the money taken stemmed from breaches at the infrastructure level, marking a new phase in cybercrime involving crypto.”
“Attack vectors are quickly changing. Over 80% of the money taken stemmed from breaches at the infrastructure level, marking a new phase in cybercrime involving crypto.”
Conclusion
While the scale of attacks appears daunting, ongoing improvements in cybersecurity protocols are essential to mitigate future losses and safeguard the interests of crypto investors.