Payments from crypto-related ransom attacks nearly doubled to a record $1 billion in 2023, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis said on Wednesday.
Scammers targeting institutions such as hospitals, schools and government offices for ransom pocketed $1.1 billion last year, compared with $567 million in 2022.
However, losses stemming from other crypto-related crimes such as scamming and hacking fell in 2023, Chainalysis said.
Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, has jumped 60% since the end of September to $43,134 on enthusiasm about a new U.S. bitcoin ETF and on signs central banks around the world will begin trimming interest rates.
