According to a report by blockchain security firm CertiK, the cryptocurrency industry is locked in an “endless war” with crypto hackers.
Hackers have stolen over $2.47 billion in digital assets in the first half of 2025.
This jaw dropping figure represents nearly a 3% increase over the $2.4 billion lost in all of 2024.
The figure also highlights the need for tightening defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks by crypto hackers.
A Rising Tide of Crypto Heists
CertiK’s data reveals that the first half of 2025 saw a staggering $2.47 billion stolen via hacks, scams, and exploits.
The most significant blow came from a $1.4 billion Bybit hack in February, marking the largest cyber exploit in cryptocurrency history.
Despite a 52% drop in losses from the first to the second quarter of 2025 the sheer scale of these thefts highlights the persistent threat to crypto holders.
Over $800 million was lost across 144 incidents in Q2 alone, bringing the total losses to $3.1 Billion.
Ronghui Gu is the co-founder of CertiK and a professor of computer science at Columbia University. He warned that hackers need only a single point of vulnerability to strike.
“As long as there’s a weak point or some vulnerabilities out there, sooner or later they will be discovered by these attackers,” Gu said.
He predicted that losses from hacks and scams could continue to stay at the billion-dollar level in 2026. While cybersecurity measures increase, cybercriminals also grow more sophisticated.
Human Error: The Weakest Link
While the crypto community strengthens their technical defenses, hackers are increasingly exploiting human behavior to access crypto assets.
Gu noted that around half of the security incidents in 2024 happened due to operational mishaps like compromised private keys.
There has also been a resurgence of phishing scams, where attackers use fraudulent links to steal sensitive information like private keys to access cryptocurrency wallets.
Crypto Hacks: An Ongoing Battle
The crypto industry’s evolving cybersecurity measures are forcing hackers also to adapt, but the fight is far from over.
“It’s an endless war,” Gu emphasized, noting that attackers are increasingly targeting the human element behind secure protocols.
As cybercriminals refine their tactics, individuals must remain vigilant to avoid becoming the next victim in this high stakes digital battlefield.
Experts endorse adopting rigorous security practices to protect your digital assets.
