Cryptocurrency exploits exceed $3.1 billion since 2025

The cryptocurrency sector has faced significant security challenges, with total losses exceeding $3.1 billion since the start of 2025. A major contributor to this figure was a February 2025 breach of Bybit, where attackers drained approximately $1.4 billion in Ethereum from cold wallets, marking the largest theft on record.

Other massive exploits include a $292 million theft from KelpDAO's LayerZero bridge linked to the Lazarus Group, a $285 million drain of the Solana-based Drift Protocol, and a $223 million loss at Cetus.

In August 2026, the frequency of attacks increased, with Peckshield reporting 50 major hacks—a 67% rise from July. However, total monthly losses dropped by 49.5% to $136.3 million. A $74 million breach at Tectonicfi accounted for over half of August's losses, though the Cronos network intervened to trap most of the stolen assets. Smaller attacks on protocols such as Moonwell, Termlabs, and Coinsbuy also contributed to the monthly total.