TLDR
- Nearly $2.5 billion stolen in cryptocurrency hacks in 2025.
- Average loss per breach is $7.1 million.
- 175 attacks on Ethereum accounted for $1.63 billion lost.
Blockchain security firm CertiK has reported that nearly $2.5 billion in cryptocurrency has been stolen through hacking incidents in the first half of 2025. This figure already surpasses the total losses reported for the entire year of 2024. The firm has identified 344 incidents contributing to these staggering losses.
Several major players in the cryptocurrency industry are involved in these events, including hackers, major exchanges, and key industry figures. CertiK serves as the primary source of this analysis and reporting, providing an authoritative overview of the situation.
Exchange Security Under Scrutiny
Exchanges like Bybit and Crypto.com have been prominently involved in the hacks, with Bybit suffering the largest single hack involving Ethereum (ETH) and Lido Staked Ether (stETH). Crypto.com has faced allegations from on-chain investigator ZachXBT regarding governance transparency.
In a public platform, ZachXBT stated, โ
Crypto.com has previously covered up a major incident, but has never made it public, and I am not allowed to disclose the details now.
ZachXBT, Crypto Investigator
โ This statement has heightened concerns within the community regarding the transparency of exchange operations.
Increase in Attacks Despite Security Improvements
Security enhancements have not deterred hackers. Ronghui Gu, Co-founder of CertiK, emphasized the ongoing risk, saying, โ
As long as thereโs a weak point or some vulnerabilities out there, sooner or later they will be discovered by these attackers. So itโs an endless war.
Ronghui Gu, Co-founder, CertiK
โ
From Q1 to Q2 2025, losses dropped by 52%, indicating some security improvements. However, the average losses per breach are still significant, with each breach costing an average of $7.1 million. The median loss per breach stands at $89,000. Wallet compromises and phishing remain the primary methods of attack.
Broader Industry Reactions and Asset Impact
The largest losses mainly involved Ethereum, with 175 attacks totaling $1.63 billion lost. Other assets, such as Lido Staked Ether (stETH) and Crypto.comโs token (CRO), have also experienced impacts in terms of trading spikes and governance scrutiny.
Community and industry voices are advocating for improved transparency and enhanced decentralized practices. Regulatory scrutiny is also increasing, though there are no direct statements from agencies in the current data. The general sentiment indicates a pressing need for improved security measures and governance practices.
Future Implications for Crypto Security
As hackers continue to target the crypto industry, experts underline the need for continuous advancements in security. Ronghui Gu highlights the ongoing battle to secure blockchain systems and the people who operate them, warning that the conflict with cybercriminals is far from over.
Finally, the industryโs focus remains on both improving protocols and securing the operators behind these systems. Researchers and developers continue to work on creating more robust security solutions to protect crypto assets. The ongoing discussions within the community emphasize the importance of transparency and innovation in combating future threats.
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