Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Crypto Hackers Steal $2.7 Billion in 2025
In 2025, hackers stole a record $2.7 billion in cryptocurrency.
The biggest theft was $1.5 billion from the Bybit exchange.
A group called the Lazarus Group, which is linked to North Korea, was responsible for most of these hacks.
They used clever tricks to get into systems and stole money to fund North Korea's secret projects.
While hackers are getting better at stealing, good guys are also getting better at freezing the stolen money.
This shows that the crypto world needs stronger security to protect against these thieves.
Crypto hackers stole over $2.7 billion in 2025, setting a new record.
The largest single hack was $1.5 billion from the Bybit exchange in February.
The Lazarus Group, linked to North Korea, was responsible for most of the thefts.
North Korea stole at least $2.02 billion in 2025, a 51% increase from the previous year.
Hackers targeted Centralised Finance (CeFi) and cross-chain bridges in 2025.
- Who
- Crypto hackers, primarily the Lazarus Group linked to North Korea
- What
- Stolen over $2.7 billion in cryptocurrency
- When
- Throughout 2025, with a significant hack in February
- Where
- Global cryptocurrency industry, targeting Centralised Finance (CeFi) and cross-chain bridges
- Why
- To fund North Korea's sanctioned nuclear weapons program and other malicious activities
- Total stolen in 2025
- $2.7 billion
- Largest single hack
- $1.5 billion (Bybit exchange)
- Primary hacker group
- Lazarus Group (North Korea)
- North Korea's 2025 thefts
- $2.02 billion (51% increase YOY)
- North Korea's thefts since 2017
- $6 billion
- Main targets in 2025
- Centralised Finance (CeFi) and cross-chain bridges
- Recovery efforts
- Coordinated responses between exchanges and law enforcement