Hackers Steal Record $2 Billion in Crypto in first Half of 2025
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New data reveals a significant surge in cryptocurrency theft, wiht North Korean hackers implicated in major breaches.
Hackers have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptography in the first half of 2025, according to new data from Chainalysis, a crypto analysis firm, marking the worst year registered in crypto theft.
Blockchain analysis company Chainalysis said Thursday in a new report that the $2.17 billion stolen in the first half of 2025 has already exceeded the amount of cryptography lost last year. The stolen cryptocurrency in the first six months of 2025 was about 17% higher than in the same period in 2022, which was previously the worst year for stolen cryptons.
Much of the stolen crypto this year was attributed to one violation in Crypto Alternate Bybit, in which North Korean hackers stole more than $1.4 billion in cryptography. Much of it was later hazardous and slipped into North Korea, according to the FBI.
Chainalysis said the Bybit hack is part of a wider North korean hacker operation, which has become the main regime of sanctions to avoid strategies.
North Korea,which is largely interrupted from the outside world and the international banking system,has become a huge threat in recent years,targeting Western companies to steal cryptocurrency with the aim of funding its sanctioned nuclear program. North Korea has also relied on thousands of distant IT employees infiltrating technology companies to earn a salary,stealing intellectual property,and then exposing companies to pay to not publish their sensitive files.
according to a previous Chainalysis report, nearly two-thirds of all crypto hackers where blamed for North Korean hackers in 2024.
Understanding the Rise in crypto Theft
The escalating figures in cryptocurrency theft highlight vulnerabilities within the digital asset ecosystem. Factors contributing to this trend include the increasing sophistication of hacking groups, especially state-sponsored entities, and the inherent pseudonymous nature of some blockchain transactions, which can be exploited for illicit activities. The global interconnectedness of the crypto market means that a single breach can have far-reaching consequences, impacting exchanges, decentralized finance (defi) protocols, and individual users alike. Regulatory bodies worldwide are grappling with how to effectively monitor and police these activities, seeking to balance innovation with security.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crypto Theft
- What is the total amount of cryptocurrency stolen in the first half of 2025?
- Over $2 billion in cryptocurrency was stolen in the first half of 2025.
- which entity is primarily blamed for the recent surge in crypto theft?
- North Korean hackers are primarily blamed for the recent surge in crypto theft.
- what was the largest single crypto theft incident in 2025?
- The largest single incident involved the Bybit crypto exchange, where North Korean hackers stole over $1.4 billion.
- How does North Korea use stolen cryptocurrency?
- North Korea uses stolen cryptocurrency to fund its sanctioned nuclear program and evade international sanctions.
- What percentage of crypto hackers were North Korean in 2024?
- Nearly two-thirds of all crypto hackers were blamed for North Korean hackers in 2024.
- What are the implications of these crypto theft trends?
- These trends highlight security vulnerabilities in the crypto space and pose challenges for regulators and users alike.
