2026-01-08 08:22:58

The security challenges faced by the crypto industry in 2025 are once again escalating. According to the latest hacker attack data analysis, malicious actors are becoming increasingly precise in their methods, and the amount of stolen funds continues to grow.

The data speaks volumes. Last year alone, hackers stole $2.02 billion worth of crypto assets through various attack methods, a 51% increase quarter-over-quarter. Even more alarming is that, despite a decrease in the number of attacks, the total amount stolen by these malicious actors has reached a staggering $6.75 billion. In other words, they are focusing on "precision"—using fewer attacks to steal more funds.

How do they achieve this? There are usually two main tactics. One is directly inserting personnel into crypto service companies to act as insiders; the other is highly sophisticated impersonation scams targeting corporate executives. These methods are more difficult to defend against than simple technical attacks.

Money laundering also shows clear preferences. Chinese-language money laundering services, cross-chain bridge platforms, and mixing protocols are their "common tools." After large-scale thefts, these funds are typically transferred and obfuscated through multiple layers within about 45 days.

Another noteworthy phenomenon is the surge in personal wallet theft incidents. In 2025, such cases reached 158,000, affecting over 80,000 users. However, there is a small positive sign—the total stolen amount is $713 million, which has actually decreased compared to 2024, indicating that some protective measures are indeed effective.

While the amount of locked funds in the DeFi ecosystem is increasing, the losses caused by hacker attacks from 2024 to 2025 remain relatively low. This suggests that the industry's investments in security are beginning to pay off. Of course, the challenges remain severe, and stolen funds continue to rise.

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

22 Likes

Reward
22
8
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

WalletDetective

· 2h ago

The insider move is really brilliant, more critical than just defending against technical vulnerabilities. --- 6.75 billion? That number makes my scalp tingle. The cost of increased accuracy is our wallets. --- Wait, personal wallets being stolen actually results in fewer losses? Is this true or just a change in statistical scope? --- Cleaned up in 45 days, they have become very proficient with this process. --- DeFi locked funds increase but losses are actually at a low point? Does this mean big players have learned to be smarter? --- Insider + social engineering scams, this combo really can't be defended against. No matter how strong the code is, it can't withstand human issues. --- Protocols like coin mixing need to be regulated; right now, they are just ATMs for hackers. --- Cases of theft starting at 158,000? Just thinking about it is terrifying. But why has the total stolen amount actually decreased? --- The key is those large-scale thefts, sometimes dozens of billions in one go. Small retail thefts are just a drop in the bucket. --- Effective security investments are a good thing, but these people's methods are evolving at an astonishing speed.

View OriginalReply0

GamefiEscapeArtist

· 01-10 00:41

$6.75 billion, this number is truly incredible, a quality-based crime. --- Insiders are more terrifying than technical vulnerabilities, impossible to guard against. --- Can be cleaned in just 45 days, the efficiency is really high... --- Personal wallet stolen starting from 158,000? Being caught in the crossfire indeed. --- DeFi losses at a low point? That’s probably just not my turn yet, haha. --- Accuracy has increased, but the number of attempts has decreased. That’s truly terrifying. --- High-level executives impersonating scams is ruthless; internal betrayal is even more extreme. --- It seems wallet security still needs attention; a drop of 700 million is somewhat reassuring. --- Mixing protocols, cross-chain bridges... I’ve really learned this combo. --- Quality > Quantity, hackers are also starting to take the elite route.

View OriginalReply0

GateUser-e51e87c7

· 01-08 08:49

Insiders are really terrifying, impossible to guard against --- A 51% increase, how many people will go bankrupt? --- I just want to know how to track this over 45 days, the funds have already flown away --- Personal wallets have actually decreased? Then I need to reflect on my own security awareness... --- The accuracy is getting higher and higher, it’s really creepy to hear, how to prevent --- Chinese money laundering services really need to be investigated, they are too rampant --- $6.75 billion, this number is incredible, stealing more money with fewer attempts... they are really evolving --- Insider issues are the hardest to solve, no matter how strong the firewall is, it can't beat human nature --- DeFi losses being at a low point is good news, finally showing some signs of recovery --- Impersonating a scam company executive? That’s even more clever than hacking techniques

View OriginalReply0

GateUser-0717ab66

· 01-08 08:48

The insider trick is really clever, impossible to guard against... Still need to stay vigilant.

View OriginalReply0

ContractHunter

· 01-08 08:46

Insiders are more terrifying than technical vulnerabilities; they are hard to defend against. --- $6.75 billion? That number sounds hopeless. Increasing accuracy is really a nightmare. --- Personal wallet stolen starting from 158,000. My goodness... Is this still considered a positive sign? --- Mixer protocols are extremely efficient at laundering money; they can clean dirty funds in just 45 days. No wonder they are becoming more and more rampant. --- Insiders are the most disgusting; no matter how good the technical defenses are, it's useless. This is a human nature issue. --- What is the logic behind DeFi losses being at a low point? The thefts are still increasing, and the data is a bit chaotic. --- $2.02 billion surged by 51%. This growth rate is outrageous; it only started in 2025. --- Internal personnel infiltration... This shows that the governance of crypto companies really needs a major reform. --- The cost of preventing impersonation of scam company executives seems too high; most small and medium projects simply can't withstand it. --- Total stolen amount has decreased, but the number of cases has skyrocketed. This indicates small thefts are being prevented, but large-scale thefts remain the real threat.

View OriginalReply0

BearMarketLightning

· 01-08 08:40

$6.75 billion, this number is quite shocking, insiders really can't be prevented --- The word "accuracy" is used brilliantly, the quality suddenly improved --- Cleaned up within 45 days, this process is quite professional... Could it be an organized crime? --- Personal wallet thefts are still increasing, I thought everyone learned to be smarter --- DeFi losses actually decreased? Is it because of good prevention or are risks just shifted elsewhere? --- The insider move is too ruthless, no matter how strong the technology is, it's useless --- The mixing protocol must be making a lot of money, a dedicated tool for money laundering --- Why does it seem like the stolen amount in major projects is increasing, but individual losses are decreasing? What choices is the ecosystem making? --- With 158,000 cases of theft starting from, is this still considered effective protection? I'm very confused --- Compared to technical vulnerabilities, human issues are even bigger

View OriginalReply0

ChainMemeDealer

· 01-08 08:33

Insiders are more frightening than technical vulnerabilities; these days, you have to watch out for your own people. --- $6.75 billion—this number makes my head hurt... Precise theft is more ruthless than indiscriminate attacks. --- Another Chinese money laundering service—when will this套路 be blocked? Feels like whack-a-mole. --- Personal wallets stolen for as much as 158,000? Oh my God, I need to check where I’ve stored my private keys. --- Wait, DeFi losses have actually decreased? Now that’s some real talk, more solid than those "we are building" statements. --- Impersonation scams targeting executives are hard to prevent; no matter how much security training is given, it probably won’t help. --- 51% month-over-month growth... I just want to ask, whose wallet can withstand this round of洗礼? --- Mixing protocols combined with cross-chain bridges, turning over every 45 days—this操作, I have to admit, is really slick. --- Just looking at the numbers is despairing, but the fact that personal wallet losses are lower suggests there’s still hope? --- Why not just ban these money laundering tools directly, or is it impossible to ban them altogether?

View OriginalReply0

BuyTheTop

· 01-08 08:25

Insiders can't be stopped, this is the most outrageous yet --- 67.5 billion? Feels like it's breaking records every year, when will it finally stop --- The key is still internal personnel; no matter how good the technical defenses are, they are useless --- Mixing protocol cleaned in just 45 days, this efficiency is truly remarkable --- Personal wallet thefts are still rising; my private keys are almost causing me anxiety --- DeFi losses at a low point? I don't believe it; there are probably big cases I haven't seen --- Impersonating high-level executives of scam companies is ruthless; it's almost impossible to defend against --- 51% growth rate sounds alarming; when will it finally be brought under control --- Cross-chain bridges have become hackers' favorite; this is ironic --- They reduced the number of thefts but stole more money, becoming more professional

View OriginalReply0