Cryptocurrency theft is on pace to smash all previous records in 2025, according to Chainalysis. The first half of the year alone has already seen more stolen crypto than the entire year of 2024.
North Korea’s Role and the ByBit Hack
The staggering $2.17 billion stolen so far this year is largely due to a massive $1.5 billion heist from the ByBit exchange, the biggest single crypto hack in history. This attack is attributed to North Korean hackers.
Individual Users Targeted
While massive exchange hacks grab headlines, Chainalysis also points to a worrying trend: attacks on individual users’ wallets are on the rise. These attacks now account for over 23% of all stolen funds in 2025.
From Digital to Physical Threats
The methods used by criminals are also evolving. There’s a growing number of “wrench attacks,” where criminals use physical violence or coercion to steal crypto from individuals, often targeting them during periods of high Bitcoin prices.
The Outlook for the Rest of 2025
If the current rate of theft continues, the total stolen crypto could exceed $4 billion by the end of 2025. This would make 2025 the worst year ever for cryptocurrency theft, surpassing even the previous record-breaking year of 2022.