Crypto money laundering linked to hacking reached a total of $1.3 billion in 2024, marking a 280% increase compared to 2023, when it stood at $342 million. This data, published by blockchain security firm PeckShield, suggests that the dramatic rise is partly due to the significant increase in cryptocurrency prices, such as Bitcoin, which more than doubled in value during 2024.
Hackers Employ Advanced Laundering Techniques
The PeckShield report highlights that hackers are increasingly using techniques like "chain hopping", which involves moving coins across multiple blockchains. This method alone facilitated the laundering of $452 million. Another common approach was coin mixing, which accounted for $468 million in laundered funds.
Fraud Losses Decline, but Phishing Remains a Major Issue
Overall fraud losses in the cryptocurrency industry decreased to $834.5 million in 2024, down 24% from $1.1 billion in 2023. However, phishing scams remained a significant concern, representing nearly 80% of all fraud-related losses, amounting to $660 million.
August 2024: The Month with the Highest Losses
According to PeckShield's monthly analysis, August 2024 was the most critical month, with losses totaling $293.4 million. The majority of these losses came from Bitcoin-related scams, which amounted to $238 million. Other notable incidents included:
A scam involving Wrapped Bitcoin, resulting in $71 million in losses.Rug-pull scams on BitForex and ZKasino, which cost investors $57 million and $33 million, respectively.
Total Crypto Industry Losses in 2024
As revealed in early January 2025, total losses in the crypto industry from hacks and scams in 2024 amounted to $3.01 billion, reflecting a 15% increase from $2.61 billion in 2023. Of this total, hacks accounted for $2.15 billion, while scams represented $834.5 million.
Positive News: Some Funds Recovered
Despite the significant losses, approximately $488.5 million of stolen funds were successfully recovered. This demonstrates that advanced security technologies and collaborative efforts between institutions can help mitigate the damage caused by cybercrime.
Conclusion: Rising Crime and the Need for Better Protection
The year 2024 highlighted a record surge in crypto money laundering driven by hackers, presenting challenges for the entire cryptocurrency industry. While overall fraud losses are declining, advanced laundering techniques and phishing scams remain significant threats. As such, implementing robust security measures and fostering industry collaboration are essential to protecting investors and reducing the impact of cybercrime.
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