Crypto Theft Explodes in 2025: $2.7 Billion Stolen

Cryptocurrency theft has reached alarming levels in the first half of 2025, with stolen funds exceeding $2.7 billion, surpassing the total for all of 2024. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, with the $2 billion mark reached far quicker than in previous years. The Chainalysis report highlights that the pace of theft is so rapid that the total stolen could reach over $4.3 billion by year's end. A major factor contributing to this surge is the massive $1.5 billion hack of Bybit, the largest crypto hack in history, attributed to North Korean actors. This attack underscores the growing role of North Korea in cryptocurrency theft as a method of sanctions evasion, building on the already high $1.3 billion in losses attributed to them in 2024. The report also reveals a concerning trend of attacks targeting individual users' personal wallets, accounting for 23.35% of all stolen funds in 2025. Bitcoin is a significant target, with attackers focusing on high-value holdings. The average loss from compromised personal BTC wallets has also increased. Attacks are not limited to Bitcoin or EVM chains; Solana and other chains are also seeing increased attacks on individual users. Furthermore, a worrying rise in “wrench attacks,” which involve physical violence or coercion, is observed, potentially doubling 2021's numbers. This alarming increase in both institutional and individual crypto theft highlights a critical threat within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, particularly as the value of cryptocurrencies continues to rise, creating more lucrative targets for attackers.

(Source: https://www.newsbtc.com/news/2025-crypto-thefts-spike-stolen-funds-hit-2-7-billion-in-h1-report/)