Over $364 million in cryptocurrency stolen in April through hacks and scams, report says, according to CertiK.
Crypto Chaos Unveiled: April's Hacking Spree
Reports suggest that a staggering $364 million was wiped out in the crypto world due to hacks, scams, and exploits last month. CertiK, a well-renowned cybersecurity firm, has shed light on this alarming statistics.
Out of this colossal sum, a whopping $337 million debited from wallets is linked to phishing attacks.
👉 CertiK Alert 🚨
Combining all incidents in April, we've identified ~$364M lost to exploits, hacks, and scams after ~$18.2M was returned. KiloEx, Loopscale, and zkSync are the platforms where funds were returned by white-hat hackers.
~=~$337M of the total is tied to phishing.
For a glimpse, check out the visual.
The majority of these ill-gotten gains can be traced back to a single incident involving sophisticated social engineering tactics that robbed an elderly individual in the U.S. of 3,520 BTC, worth around $330.7 million. Swiftly laundered through several instant exchanges, the funds were exchanged for Monero, causing a stunning 50% surge in its price.
On the witness stand, the on-chain investigator ZachXBT, confirmed that the victim was indeed an old American crypto-holder who had kept the digital currency since 2017.
Update: It has been verified that the theft was a result of social engineering targeting an elderly individual in the United States.
- ZachXBT (@zachxbt) April 30, 2025
Other significant breaches in April included the $7.5 million attack on the decentralized exchange KiloEX, exploiting a "price oracle". Another $5.8 million was swiped from Loopscale, and over $5 million was drained from an airdrop contract linked to Ethereum scaling protocol ZKsync.
Fortunately, all three crypto platforms managed to recoup their losses, thanks to the help of white-hat hackers.
April's statistics are a drastic jump compared to the reported $28.8 million losses in March. However, it still pales in comparison to the record-breaking $1.5 billion stolen in February, when cybercriminals targeted Bybit, under the guise of North Korean hacking outfit Lazarus Group.
Recently, CertiK's co-founder, Ronghui Gu, took to the stage to emphasize the critical nature of the security challenges facing blockchain. Despite being pivotal to global financial infrastructure, these issues persist and require immediate attention. Gu mentioned that a staggering $1.67 billion were stolen by malicious actors between January and March, representing a staggering 303% quarter-on-quarter increase. Most of these attacks zeroed in on the Ethereum ecosystem.
In light of these findings, CertiK advises crypto businesses and investors to take stringent measures to ensure their funds are secure. To start with, double-check the authenticity of URLs and smart contracts before making any transactions, ensure your assets are stored in cold wallets disconnected from the internet, and refrain from disclosing crypto holdings on social media platforms.
Stay updated in this fast-paced world and keep your crypto safe! 🔒💼 📫 Subscribe to our Daily Debrief Newsletter.
References:
[1] ZachXBT. (2025, April 30). Volume still standing, but hacks are coming! https://twitter.com/zachxbt/status/1651747344232402945
[4] CertiK. (2025, April 30). Confirmed hacks. March 2025 - April 2025 https://twitter.com/CertiKAlert/status/1651700361762425856
[5] CertiK. (2025, March 31). Monthly summary - March 2025 https://twitter.com/CertiKAlert/status/1636917088413227008
Disclaimer: Decrypt strives to provide accurate and trustworthy information but will not be held liable for any errors, omissions, or possible misinterpretations of the data presented. The aforementioned data represents findings from the CertiK's monthly reports and on-chain investigator ZachXBT's social media posts. Always perform thorough research before making investment decisions.
#crypto #hacks #news #warning #scam #ethereum
- The staggering $364 million loss in the crypto world last month, as reported by CertiK, is a concerning development in the realm of cybersecurity.
- Phishing attacks were responsible for a massive $337 million of the total losses, highlighting the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
- CertiK has identified key incidents in April that led to the loss of approximately $364 million, with $18.2 million being returned.
- KiloEx, Loopscale, and zkSync are among the platforms where funds were returned by white-hat hackers.
- On-chain investigator ZachXBT confirmed that the victim of a significant phishing attack was an elderly American crypto-holder who had been holding digital currency since 2017.
- The theft of 3,520 BTC worth around $330.7 million can be traced back to sophisticated social engineering tactics.
- April's crypto losses are a dramatic increase compared to the $28.8 million losses reported in March, but still fall short of the $1.5 billion stolen in February.
- The Ethereum ecosystem was a prime target for attacks, with CertiK estimating that $1.67 billion were stolen between January and March, representing a 303% quarter-on-quarter increase.
- To ensure the security of their funds, crypto businesses and investors are advised to verify the authenticity of URLs and smart contracts, store assets in cold wallets, and avoid disclosing cryptocurrency holdings on social media platforms.
- In light of these findings, it is crucial for the crypto community to stay updated on the latest news and security measures to keep their funds safe.
- Subscribe to our Daily Debrief Newsletter to stay informed about the fast-paced world of crypto and maintain the security of your digital assets.
