- Major crypto hacks reach $3 billion in 2025.
- North Korea-linked attack on ByBit totals $1.5 billion.
- Laundering occurs rapidly, often before public disclosure.
The scale of theft underscores systemic risks in centralized exchange infrastructures, affecting key digital assets like ETH and BTC, and prompting calls for enhanced security measures.
Over $3 billion was stolen through 119 crypto hack incidents in the first half of 2025. According to Global Ledger, this represents a significant increase compared to previous years, driven largely by rapid laundering through centralized exchanges.
Key incidents involve groups linked to North Korea, particularly a hack on ByBit accounting for $1.5 billion. This is the largest single event, making up approximately 70% of the total value lost in these exploits.
Centralized exchanges processed over half of the stolen funds, highlighting the vulnerabilities within these infrastructures. Laundering speeds have increased significantly, with some funds washed within minutes, challenging current anti-money laundering efforts.
The hacks have notably impacted user deposits and platform treasuries, with rapid laundering affecting market dynamics. Major cryptocurrencies, including ETH and BTC, remain the primary targets, with consequences felt across related DeFi and cross-chain protocols.
The surge in activity and laundering speed puts traditional AML practices under pressure. Regulatory bodies continue to scrutinize these developments, but there are limited immediate responses from major world exchanges or financial authorities.
Historically, North Korea-affiliated attacks have targeted centralized infrastructure, but the scale and speed of 2025’s events are unprecedented. Emerging market data suggests a need for enhanced security measures across crypto infrastructures to protect against rapid laundering tactics.
Global Ledger Analysts, Analysts, Global Ledger, “Laundering now occurs within minutes—often before a hack is even publicly disclosed. In 22.7% of cases, the laundering process was fully completed before any internal or public announcement of the breach.” Source – Global Ledger
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