Cryptocurrency platforms and investors faced a significant rise in cyber threats in August 2025, with hacking incidents resulting in losses totaling **$163 million**. According to blockchain security firm **PeckShield**, this marks a **15% increase** in hacks since July, with **16 major attacks** targeting various investors, protocols, and exchanges.
Major Theft Highlights Growing Security Threats
The most substantial individual loss recorded during this period was a **$91 million** theft of Bitcoin, attributed to a sophisticated attack on a long-term Bitcoin holder. The assailant managed to gain access to the investor’s wallet by obtaining the necessary keys to substantial amounts of BTC. This incident stands out as the most costly single crypto theft reported in August.
In a separate case, **BtcTurk**, one of Turkey’s leading exchanges, experienced a breach resulting in losses estimated between **$48 million** and **$54 million**. This attack targeted the hot-wallet infrastructure of the exchange. Combined with a **$54 million** breach in June, BtcTurk’s total losses now exceed **$100 million**.
Other notable breaches included **ODIN•FUN**, which lost **$7 million**, **BetterBank.io**, with losses of **$5 million**, and **CrediX Finance**, which experienced a **$4.5 million** theft. All incidents were linked to unauthorized fund transfers due to vulnerabilities in access controls.
Rising Exploit Values and Evolving Techniques
PeckShield’s mid-year analysis revealed that the average value of exploits in 2025 increased significantly to **$7.18 million**, compared to **$3.1 million** in 2024. The report indicates that a majority of losses stem from access control failures, including stolen personal keys and unsecured smart contract approvals. Notably, **23%** of the attacks utilized social engineering tactics, where hackers impersonated trusted entities to manipulate victims and bypass security measures.
Despite efforts to trace stolen funds, recovery remains a challenge, with only **78%** of the stolen money successfully retrieved. Some of the attacks have been linked to state-sponsored groups, including the notorious **Lazarus Group** from North Korea, which has been implicated in various cybercrime activities targeting the cryptocurrency sector.
As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, the increasing prevalence of cyber attacks underscores the critical need for enhanced security measures across the industry. The surge in hacking incidents serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that still exist, prompting both users and platforms to adopt more robust security practices to safeguard their assets.
