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The cryptocurrency hacker market continued to show significant growth in 2024. According https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/crypto-hacking-stolen-funds-2025/ Chainalysis, in 2024, the amount of stolen funds reached $2.2 billion, which is 21.07% more than in 2023. The number of attacks also increased from 282 cases in 2023 to 303 in 2024
The first half of the year was particularly active. From January to July, $1.58 billion was stolen, which is 84.4% more than in the same period in 2023. However, in the second half of the year, the pace of attacks decreased markedly. Experts attribute this to possible geopolitical changes.
https://i.ibb.co/R641TnN/fkw8oc9kccl4j55o04yng9a0mgyahqr1.pngGrowth in the volume of stolen cryptocurrency from 2015 to 2024 (Chainalysis)
Among the target platforms, changes in the preferences of attackers stand out. In 2024, a significant portion of the attacks targeted centralized services such as https://www.securitylab.ru/news/548845.php ($305 million) and https://www.securitylab.ru/news/553972.php ($234.9 million), whereas in previous years, the focus was on decentralized DeFi platforms. This is due to the vulnerability of DeFi, whose developers often prioritize the speed of product entry into the market over security. Nevertheless, compromise of private keys remains the main method of hackers, providing access to user assets.
https://i.ibb.co/gFSVxTX/mxi0oowl99m5k5jzd91r3x6f29k136fg.pngDistribution of thefts across crypto platforms (Chainalysis)
Private keys accounted for the loss of 43.8% of all stolen funds in 2024. Once compromised, the attackers use money laundering techniques through decentralized exchanges, mixers, and bridges to make them difficult to trace. Attacks related to North Korea stand out in particular: hackers from the DPRK stole $1.34 billion in 47 incidents in 2024, which accounted for 61% of the total thefts for the year. This is more than double the figure for 2023.
https://i.ibb.co/Jz9WXpR/r1q9g7gjzx1xy7ji00ksc1y8p35hxw6b.pngThe volume of cryptocurrency thefts by North Korea (Chainalysis)
There is also an increase in the complexity of the DPRK's attack methods. North Korean hackers are actively infiltrating cryptocurrency companies, using fake identities and complex employment schemes. This approach allows not only to steal funds, but also to gain access to critical information. In one of the recent cases, the US Department of Justice accused 14 North Koreans who, https://www.securitylab.ru/news/554780.php on data theft and extortion.
The influence of geopolitics also affects the activity of hackers. After the meeting of the leaders of Russia and North Korea in June 2024, there was a 53.73% decrease in the volume of stolen funds. Perhaps this is due to the redistribution of resources or a change in priorities in North Korea's activities. However, by the end of the year, the picture may change - hackers often become active during the holidays.
The largest attack of the year was the https://www.securitylab.ru/news/554509.php Hackers found vulnerabilities in the platform's infrastructure and stole 4,502.9 BTC worth $305 million. The assets will be transferred to another company, SBI VC Trade.
The growing volume of thefts underscores the need to strengthen security measures. To protect crypto assets, the joint efforts of companies and government agencies, the development of technology, and compliance with strict standards are important. Such measures will help not only protect users' money but also build trust in the market in the long run.
The first half of the year was particularly active. From January to July, $1.58 billion was stolen, which is 84.4% more than in the same period in 2023. However, in the second half of the year, the pace of attacks decreased markedly. Experts attribute this to possible geopolitical changes.
https://i.ibb.co/R641TnN/fkw8oc9kccl4j55o04yng9a0mgyahqr1.pngGrowth in the volume of stolen cryptocurrency from 2015 to 2024 (Chainalysis)
Among the target platforms, changes in the preferences of attackers stand out. In 2024, a significant portion of the attacks targeted centralized services such as https://www.securitylab.ru/news/548845.php ($305 million) and https://www.securitylab.ru/news/553972.php ($234.9 million), whereas in previous years, the focus was on decentralized DeFi platforms. This is due to the vulnerability of DeFi, whose developers often prioritize the speed of product entry into the market over security. Nevertheless, compromise of private keys remains the main method of hackers, providing access to user assets.
https://i.ibb.co/gFSVxTX/mxi0oowl99m5k5jzd91r3x6f29k136fg.pngDistribution of thefts across crypto platforms (Chainalysis)
Private keys accounted for the loss of 43.8% of all stolen funds in 2024. Once compromised, the attackers use money laundering techniques through decentralized exchanges, mixers, and bridges to make them difficult to trace. Attacks related to North Korea stand out in particular: hackers from the DPRK stole $1.34 billion in 47 incidents in 2024, which accounted for 61% of the total thefts for the year. This is more than double the figure for 2023.
https://i.ibb.co/Jz9WXpR/r1q9g7gjzx1xy7ji00ksc1y8p35hxw6b.pngThe volume of cryptocurrency thefts by North Korea (Chainalysis)
There is also an increase in the complexity of the DPRK's attack methods. North Korean hackers are actively infiltrating cryptocurrency companies, using fake identities and complex employment schemes. This approach allows not only to steal funds, but also to gain access to critical information. In one of the recent cases, the US Department of Justice accused 14 North Koreans who, https://www.securitylab.ru/news/554780.php on data theft and extortion.
The influence of geopolitics also affects the activity of hackers. After the meeting of the leaders of Russia and North Korea in June 2024, there was a 53.73% decrease in the volume of stolen funds. Perhaps this is due to the redistribution of resources or a change in priorities in North Korea's activities. However, by the end of the year, the picture may change - hackers often become active during the holidays.
The largest attack of the year was the https://www.securitylab.ru/news/554509.php Hackers found vulnerabilities in the platform's infrastructure and stole 4,502.9 BTC worth $305 million. The assets will be transferred to another company, SBI VC Trade.
The growing volume of thefts underscores the need to strengthen security measures. To protect crypto assets, the joint efforts of companies and government agencies, the development of technology, and compliance with strict standards are important. Such measures will help not only protect users' money but also build trust in the market in the long run.