Cryptocurrencies promise decentralization and security, but history shows that even in this world, high-profile thefts are possible. Let's look at the biggest thefts that have shaken the crypto community.
1. Hack Mt. Gox (2014) 🍣
Japanese exchange Mt. Gox, which once processed up to 70% of all Bitcoin transactions, announced in 2014 that it had lost 850,000 BTC (worth about $460 million at the time). The event left thousands of users without savings, and the name Mt. Gox itself became a symbol of the collapse of trust. Imagine what it would be like to lose billions at today's rates.
2. Coincheck Hack (2018) 💰
In January 2018, the Tokyo exchange Coincheck lost about $534 million in the cryptocurrency NEM due to a vulnerability in its hot wallets. Surprisingly, the company reimbursed the losses to users. This was a lesson for the entire crypto world: even major exchanges can be vulnerable.
3. Poly Network Hack (2021) 🔗
In August 2021, hackers stole about $610 million, exploiting a vulnerability in the Poly Network protocol. But this case turned out to be unique: the attacker returned the funds, explaining that they did it 'for fun.' Even in the world of crypto, unusual motivations occur.
4. Ronin Network Hack (2022) 🎮
March 2022 was a dark month for the Ronin network, associated with the game Axie Infinity. Attackers stole $615 million in ETH and USDC by gaining access to validator keys. This event became one of the largest in DeFi history, and users took a long time to recover their funds.
5. FTX Hack (2022) 🏴☠️
After the loud collapse of FTX in November 2022, over $600 million was withdrawn from the exchange. No one still knows exactly who was behind this hack. This only added fuel to the fire, undermining trust in centralized platforms.
6. KuCoin Hack (2020) 🔓
In September 2020, the Singapore exchange KuCoin lost about $285 million. Hackers gained access to the private keys of hot wallets. Despite the scale, the exchange quickly resumed operations and reimbursed funds, showing how to handle crises.
7. Bitfinex Hack (2016) 💸
In August 2016, 120,000 BTC (approximately $72 million at that time) was stolen from the Bitfinex exchange. This incident became one of the largest of its time. Interestingly, some of the stolen funds were found and returned years later.
8. Binance Hack (2019) 🛡️
In May 2019, the largest crypto exchange Binance lost 7,000 BTC (approximately $40 million). Hackers used phishing and viruses to obtain user keys. However, Binance quickly covered the losses from its SAFU fund, strengthening trust in its platform.
9. Bitgrail Hack (2018) 🕵️♂️
The Italian exchange Bitgrail lost 17 million Nano tokens (about $170 million) in 2018. This case sparked controversy: many suspected internal fraud. It became an example of how important it is to choose platforms with a reliable reputation.
10. Wormhole Hack (2022) 🪐
February 2022 marked an attack on the Wormhole blockchain bridge, where $334 million was stolen. Hackers exploited a vulnerability in the platform's code. This event reminded all market participants of the importance of quality smart contract development.
Security lessons: don't get caught! 🔒
These high-profile thefts remind us once again that security in the world of cryptocurrency is the key to success. Always store your funds in hardware wallets, use two-factor authentication, and choose platforms with a reliable reputation.
Do you think it's possible to fully secure your assets in crypto? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇