More than $3 billion was stolen through crypto hacks in the first half of 2025. Global Ledger reports that most incidents occurred on centralized exchanges.
Key Facts About Crypto Hacks
According to Global Ledger, there were 119 incidents of cryptocurrency theft in the first half of 2025, marking a significant increase over previous years. Funds were mainly stolen through centralized exchanges, highlighting systemic risks in this infrastructure.
North Korea-Linked Attacks
One key incident involved an attack on ByBit linked to groups associated with North Korea, resulting in $1.5 billion in losses. This event accounted for approximately 70% of the total stolen value.
Increased Speed of Money Laundering
Centralized exchanges processed over half of the stolen funds, emphasizing vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. The speed of money laundering has significantly increased; some funds were washed within minutes, challenging current anti-money laundering efforts. Regulatory bodies are monitoring these developments closely, but major exchanges and financial authorities have yet to respond decisively.
The surge in hacks and money laundering speed puts pressure on traditional AML practices. The need for enhanced security measures in crypto infrastructure is becoming increasingly urgent.
