Digital Thieves Strike Big in 2025

In 2025, digital thieves made off with a staggering amount of cryptocurrency. The total haul reached $2. 7 billion, marking a new high. This surge in thefts targeted various platforms, including crypto exchanges and DeFi projects. The most significant breach occurred at Bybit, a Dubai-based exchange, where hackers swiped approximately $1. 4 billion. Experts, including blockchain analysts and the FBI, pointed fingers at North Korean government hackers, who have been particularly active in recent years. This Bybit breach stands out as the largest crypto theft ever recorded. It surpassed previous notable hacks, such as the $624 million Ronin Network theft and the $611 million Poly Network breach in 2022. Additionally, individual crypto wallets were not spared, with another $700, 000 stolen. The data reveals a troubling trend: crypto theft has been on the rise, increasing from $2 billion in 2023 to $2. 2 billion in 2024, before hitting this new peak in 2025.North Korean hackers were behind at least $2 billion of the stolen crypto in 2025. Since 2017, they have pilfered roughly $6 billion in total. Authorities believe these funds are funneled to support North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Other significant hacks in 2025 included $223 million from Cetus, $128 million from Balancer, and over $73 million from Phemex. The increasing sophistication of these cybercriminals raises serious concerns about the security of digital assets. As the crypto market continues to grow, so does the allure for hackers. This trend highlights the urgent need for stronger security measures and international cooperation to combat cybercrime.