2023 also confirms itself as a year marked by thefts of cryptocurrencieswith thefts for a total of 2 billion dollars.
For the first time since 2020, however, this trend appears to be declining. In 2022, in fact, the total amount stolen amounted to well 3.3 billion dollars.
According to data presented by the security company De.FIthe enormous amount of cryptocurrencies is the result of dozens and dozens of direct cyber attacks, without taking into account another worrying phenomenon in the sector such as the cryptojacking.
De.FI experts wanted to explain the overall decline in these thefts, specifying that there are two fundamental factors. First of all, greater attention on the part of investors regarding the protection of their own crypto wallets. Secondly, there was a bearish market during the first half of the year which discouraged cybercriminals, making them turn towards other more profitable sectors (or in any case easier to attack).
To get an overall idea of ​​cryptocurrency thefts, you can also analyze the data proposed by the blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs. This, in broad terms, confirms what has been said so far. According to the information proposed, as of mid-December, the total number of cryptocurrencies stolen in the current year is around 1.7 billion dollars.
Cryptocurrency thefts: what were the most sensational cases of 2023?
The millionaire hits in this context have been different and quite sensational.
Just think of the hacking he saw as a victim Euler Financea coup that netted the hackers almost 200 million dollars. Also the attack against Multichainyes 126 million dollarsrightfully enters this unflattering list.
The cases they involved also deserve mention BonqDAO (120 million dollars), Poloniex (114 million dollars) e Atomic Wallet (100 million dollars). All without taking into account smaller operations which, being numerically larger, still constitute a significant portion of this branch of cybercrime.
The most active hacker group in the industry is without a doubt Lazarus. The gang of North Korean cybercriminals, in fact, stole cryptocurrencies for a total of 1.7 billion dollars in 2023 alone. According to experts, Lazarus’ activities are so large that they constitute one of North Korea’s main economic revenues.
And what about the future? It is impossible to predict what will happen over the next year. Despite increased protection, cybercriminals will likely continue to be attracted to cryptocurrencies.