Crypto losses have crossed the $2.5 billion mark in 2025, marking a turning point in the methods used by cybercriminals. From now on, social engineering is emerging as the preferred technique for stealing funds, according to a recent sector report.
In brief
- Attacks targeting cryptocurrencies generated more than $2.5 billion in losses in 2025.
- Social engineering is becoming the dominant method to compromise Total Value Locked (TVL).
- Psychological manipulation techniques are gradually replacing traditional technical exploits.
- This trend reflects an increasing sophistication of cybercriminals in the crypto ecosystem.
Social engineering, a formidable weapon against crypto holders
A recently published report reveals that social engineering will dominate attacks against cryptos in 2025. Unlike technical exploits that target protocol flaws, this approach relies on the psychological manipulation of users.
Cybercriminals deploy elaborate strategies: fake websites mimicking legitimate platforms, ultra-targeted phishing campaigns and impersonation of influential figures in the sector.
The numbers speak for themselves. With 2.5 billion dollars stolen, 2025 promises to be a record year in terms of losses. This escalation can be explained by the professionalization of criminal groups who meticulously study their targets before taking action. They exploit investors' trust, greed or ignorance to obtain their private keys or credentials.
The DeFi sector is proving particularly vulnerable. Decentralized protocols, often complex for beginners, provide fertile ground for scams. A single click on a fraudulent link can compromise an entire wallet. “Blockchain technology is secure, but humans remain the weak link,” note cybersecurity experts.
A threat that evolves faster than defenses
The rapid adaptation of cybercriminals poses a major challenge to exchanges and DeFi protocols.
While the industry invests heavily in technical security — smart contract audits, bug bounty programs, decentralized insurance — it often neglects user training. This asymmetry creates a gaping hole that attackers methodically exploit.
Regulators are becoming aware of the problem. In France, the AMF is increasing its warnings against scams targeting individual investors. However, regulation is struggling to keep pace with the pace of innovation by criminals who operate from opaque jurisdictions.
Centralized exchanges like Binance or Coinbase are strengthening their verification systems, but users of decentralized platforms remain largely exposed.
Faced with this growing threat, education becomes essential. Institutional players who accumulate Bitcoin as a strategic reserve — like Strategy or certain American states — deploy sophisticated security protocols.
However, individual investors must be vigilant: systematic verification of URLs, activation of two-factor authentication, skepticism in the face of promises of incredible returns.
The year 2025 marks a turning point in the cyber threat weighing on cryptos. Social engineering, extremely effective, supplants traditional technical attacks and generates colossal losses. This evolution requires a coordinated response combining technology, regulation and above all user education to protect the crypto ecosystem.
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