North Korean Hackers Steal 217 Billion in Cryptocurrency in 2025 Half-Year

Chainalysis, a blockchain data research firm, has reported that North Korean hackers are on pace to make 2025 the most devastating year in the history of cryptocurrency theft. According to their 2025 Crypto Crime Mid-Year Update, the losses incurred so far in 2025 have already exceeded the total losses from 2024. The report highlights that over $2.17 billion has been stolen from cryptocurrency services in the first half of 2025, marking a significant escalation in theft activity.

The largest single hack in cryptocurrency history, the $1.5 billion breach of ByBit by North Korean hackers, is a major contributor to this year's losses. This incident alone accounts for a substantial portion of the total service losses. The current theft figures represent a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2022, which was previously the worst year on record for cryptocurrency theft. If the current trend continues, the total amount of stolen cryptocurrency by the end of 2025 could exceed $4 billion.

Chainalysis's findings reveal a shift in hacking tactics. While large-scale breaches like the ByBit hack have dominated the headlines, there is a growing trend of attacks targeting individual user wallets. Personal wallet compromises now account for 23.35% of all stolen fund activity year-to-date in 2025, indicating that hackers are diversifying their methods to exploit weaknesses in both institutional and personal security measures.

In addition to digital theft, the report highlights a disturbing new trend: the use of physical violence or coercion against cryptocurrency holders, known as "wrench attacks." These attacks have shown a correlation with bitcoin price movements, suggesting that hackers are opportunistically targeting high-value periods. This development underscores the evolving nature of threats in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, where both digital and physical security measures are increasingly important.

The report from Chainalysis serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the cryptocurrency industry in safeguarding digital assets. As the value of cryptocurrencies continues to rise, so too does the incentive for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. The findings underscore the need for enhanced security measures and increased vigilance from both service providers and individual users to mitigate the risk of theft and protect the integrity of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.