Crypto Crime Soars in 2025: $2.17 Billion Stolen Already

Have you noticed talks about crypto crimes escalating lately? It’s not just chatter—there’s a real problem brewing. According to a new industry report, more than $2.17 billion in crypto was stolen in the first half of 2025. That’s more than all of 2024 combined.

But here’s the kicker: one single exploit—the hack of ByBit—is responsible for $1.5 billion of that total. This isn’t just big—it’s record-breaking. We’re looking at the largest crypto theft ever recorded from a service. That hack alone accounts for almost 70% of all the losses so far this year. That’s insane.

How It Got This Bad

Crypto services—like exchanges, lending platforms, and DeFi apps—have collectively lost billions so far. Here’s why:

• Central services are huge targets: With so much money stored in one place, they’re buzzing beehives for hackers.
• State-sponsored hacking is real: Intelligence suggests some of the attacks, like the ByBit hack, are run by actors from countries with advanced hacking capabilities.
• Personal wallets aren’t safe either: Almost a quarter (23%) of stolen funds in 2025 came from individual wallet hacks. People are being targeted, too.

What This Means for You

If you hold crypto, this isn’t just news—it’s a wake-up call. Big hacks, plus rising wallet breaches, mean there’s no such thing as 100% safe. Even veteran users are at risk. That means taking action now:

• Move long-term crypto to cold storage (hardware or offline wallets).
• Leave minimal funds in hot wallets or online platforms.
• Always enable two‑factor authentication.
• Verify transactions carefully—no rushing.

A Broader Picture: Total Theft Could Surpass $4 Billion

At the current pace, 2025 could see over $4 billion stolen in crypto crimes—double what was wiped out in 2024. That’s serious.

For context: last year was already a record, but now we’re talking about potentially doubling that. And what’s wilder is that personal wallet theft is increasing. Hackers are getting smarter, targeting everyday users, not just big platforms.

Why This Is Happening Now

• More value, more targets: With crypto prices high, even small hacks can pay off big.
• Evolving criminal methods: From hot wallet hacks to coercion attacks, crypto crime is becoming more diversified and efficient.
• Lack of unified security standards: Platforms have different security levels, regulatory oversight is fragmented, and users are left protecting themselves.

Your Crypto Safety Checklist

• Keep large holdings in secure cold wallets.
• Use hardware wallets when possible.
• Limit how much you keep in online exchanges or apps.
• Enable multi-factor authentication and unique passwords.
• Confirm every transaction manually.
• Stay informed—follow trusted crypto security updates.

This isn’t to scare you—it’s about being smart. Crypto crime is rising, but so can your protection. I can walk you through how to spot risky platforms, set up cold storage step-by-step, or respond if an exchange you use gets hit. Just say the word, and we’ll keep it simple and clear—just like this.