Crypto Theft Sets a New Record in 2025

Crypto theft reached an alarming new high in 2025. Hackers stole more than $2.7 billion worth of digital assets this year, according to blockchain-monitoring firms. This marks the highest annual total ever recorded for crypto-related hacks.

The data highlights a growing security crisis across crypto exchanges, DeFi platforms, and web3 projects. Despite improved awareness, attackers continue to exploit weaknesses at scale.

Bybit Hack Shocks the Crypto Industry

The largest crypto theft of 2025 came from Dubai-based exchange Bybit. Hackers drained around $1.4 billion in a single breach. This incident alone made history. It became the biggest known crypto theft ever recorded.

Blockchain analysis firms and the FBI linked the attack to North Korean government-backed hackers. These groups have targeted crypto platforms aggressively over the past few years.

Before this breach, the biggest crypto hacks involved $624 million and $611 million losses in 2022. The Bybit attack more than doubled those figures.

Blockchain Data Confirms the $2.7 Billion Loss

Chainalysis and TRM Labs both estimated total crypto theft at $2.7 billion in 2025. The firms shared this data with TechCrunch. Chainalysis also tracked an additional $700,000 stolen directly from individual wallets.

Web3 security firm De.Fi, which runs the REKT database, reported the same overall figure. These independent estimates reinforce the scale of the problem.

North Korean Hackers Lead Global Crypto Crime

North Korean hackers remained the most successful crypto thieves in 2025. According to Chainalysis and Elliptic, they stole at least $2 billion this year alone.

Elliptic estimates that North Korean groups have stolen around $6 billion in crypto since 2017. Authorities say the country uses these funds to support its sanctioned nuclear program.

Other Major Crypto Hacks in 2025

Several high-profile attacks added to the total losses. Hackers stole $223 million from Cetus, a decentralized exchange. Balancer, an Ethereum-based protocol, lost $128 million. The crypto exchange Phemex reported losses exceeding $73 million.

These incidents show that both centralized exchanges and DeFi platforms remain prime targets.

Crypto Theft Keeps Rising Year After Year

Crypto crime continues to grow steadily. Hackers stole $2.2 billion in 2024 and $2 billion in 2023. The 2025 figures confirm that cybercriminals are not slowing down.

As crypto adoption expands, security remains a critical challenge for the industry.