From the desk of Coinsdrom — a regulated crypto exchange offering structured access to BTC and ETH via credit card, wires or other payment systems.
The first half of 2025 has marked a turning point in the evolution of cryptocurrency-related crime. It’s no longer just an institutional issue or a risk isolated to careless platforms. Every participant in the crypto ecosystem — including casual users — now faces real exposure.
At Coinsdrom, access to cryptocurrency must come with a clear understanding of the risks. The same tools that make digital assets fast, efficient, and global can be exploited — unless personal and systemic security measures evolve just as quickly.
Here’s what the latest data reveals, and what it means for you.
Over €2.17 Billion Stolen in Six Months: A Disturbing Milestone
According to the 2025 Chainalysis mid-year report, the volume of funds stolen from crypto services has already surpassed all of 2024, rising more than 17% above 2022, previously the worst year on record. The current trajectory suggests losses could exceed €4 billion by year’s end, with some of the most sophisticated attacks in the industry’s history.
This year’s defining event — the €1.5 billion ByBit hack — was perpetrated by North Korean state-linked threat actors. It now stands as the largest single crypto hack on record, serving as a sharp reminder that national-level actors are deeply engaged in cryptocurrency-based operations, often tied to sanctions evasion and cyber warfare.
The Rise of Personal Wallet Attacks: No One Is Too Small to Be Targeted
While exchange-level breaches dominate headlines, a quieter and arguably more alarming shift is occurring: individual users are increasingly being targeted.
- Personal wallets accounted for 23.35% of all stolen crypto so far in 2025.
- The attackers are more diverse, encompassing not only hackers but also scam operators, phishing campaigns, and — most concerning — organized groups that deploy physical coercion.
- These “wrench attacks,” which involve extortion or assault to extract keys or access, tend to coincide with Bitcoin price spikes, suggesting that opportunistic violence now follows market optimism.
These are no longer edge cases. They reflect a broader strategic pivot among threat actors: as institutions harden their defenses, individuals become the weaker link.
Geographic Patterns Show Widespread Vulnerability
Victims of wallet theft are no longer concentrated in early-adopting regions. Chainalysis reports identify high victim counts in the U.S., Germany, Russia, Japan, and Canada, as well as rising intensity in areas such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central & South Asia.
What does this tell us? Crypto crime scales with adoption, and personal risk is now decoupled from geography or technical sophistication. If you hold crypto, you’re a potential target.
From Hacks to Laundering: The Professionalization of Theft
The sophistication of laundering operations is evolving alongside the hacks themselves:
Funds stolen through service breaches are rapidly moved using cross-chain bridges, mixers, and layering protocols.
Actors targeting personal wallets tend to exhibit less complex laundering behavior — often sending funds directly to exchanges or leaving assets idle on-chain, suggesting either a lower level of technical skill or a belief that they won’t be traced.
Even with blockchain transparency, many assets are moved or obfuscated before enforcement actions can be triggered. This underscores the critical importance of prevention over recovery.
Coinsdrom’s Response: Structure, Education, and Control
At Coinsdrom, our commitment to safety is not reactive — it’s foundational.
- Regulated access only: We operate under strict European AML/KYC regulations, ensuring that users purchasing crypto via credit card, wire, or alternative payment methods that are available on the platform and do so in a legally compliant and traceable manner.
- No custody model: Unlike exchanges that store your funds, Coinsdrom sends crypto directly to wallets you control, reducing your exposure to platform-level hacks.
- User education: We proactively share market news and analysis, highlight industry events, and provide insights to help users stay informed.
- Transaction transparency: Our systems are designed for auditability and regulatory compliance. We continuously monitor both fiat and cryptocurrency transactions, as well as we do our clients’ wallet screening, to ensure adherence to AML, KYC, and other compliance requirements.
Expert Guidance for the Everyday User
Let’s be clear: the majority of crypto thefts could be prevented through better operational discipline, both at the service level and individual level.
For new and casual users:
- Never share your recovery/seed phrases or private keys with anyone.
- Keep your passwords strong, unique, and stored securely.
- Be careful with mobile apps and browser extensions — only download from trusted sources.
- Stay cautious about what you post online regarding your accounts or activity.
- Consider using additional security features (like hardware wallets or multi-signature) if you plan to hold larger amounts.
Looking Ahead: The Industry’s Inflection Point
Crypto’s growth has outpaced its security maturity. The ByBit hack and the wave of personal wallet attacks are not isolated — they are symptoms of an ecosystem transitioning from an early stage to critical infrastructure.
But the same transparency that enables crime mapping also empowers accountability. With robust policies, rigorous user practices, and exchanges that prioritize security over hype, the industry can move forward without abandoning its foundational principles.
Coinsdrom is committed to ensuring that access to Bitcoin and Ethereum remains structured, compliant, and grounded in trust.
Whether you’re buying your first crypto or transferring larger amounts, our platform helps you do so with clarity and control, not just convenience. Discover how we safeguard our users and promote responsible participation at coinsdrom.com.