According to Global Ledger, over $3 billion was stolen from crypto hacks in the first half of 2025, particularly targeting centralized exchanges.
Overview of Hacks
Global Ledger reports over $3 billion stolen through 119 crypto hacks in early 2025. Centralized exchanges (CEXs) are primary targets, suffering significant breaches due to vulnerabilities in compliance and monitoring systems.
Security Issues at Centralized Exchanges
Incidents underscore severe security gaps in exchanges, causing market uncertainties and raising questions about the effectiveness of existing anti-money laundering (AML) mechanisms amid a surge in rapid laundering activities. Compliance teams at CEXs often have only 10–15 minutes to block suspicious transactions before funds become irretrievable.
Market Impact and Responses
The impacts on markets are profound, with a sharp dip in confidence toward CEX security. Only 4.2% of stolen funds have been recovered, indicating limitations in detection mechanisms. Market sentiment remains uncertain, affecting both retail and institutional participants.
With changing laundering speeds and increasing hacking threats, the need for security on centralized exchanges is becoming more pressing; rapid adaptation to new threats is essential.
