Crypto wallets received a record $158 billion in illicit funds last year
Illegal cryptocurrency flows hit a record $158 billion in 2025, reversing a three-year trend of declining amounts from $86B in 2021 to $64B in 2024. [...]
Cryptocurrency security covers theft, fraud, ransomware payments, wallet compromise, and blockchain risks involving digital assets and transactions.
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Background for this topic.
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset secured by cryptography and recorded on a decentralized blockchain ledger. It enables peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, relying on consensus mechanisms like proof-of-work or proof-of-stake to validate and add transaction blocks. Users control funds through private keys, which are critical for accessing and transferring cryptocurrency.
From an information security perspective, protecting private keys is paramount, as their compromise leads to irreversible theft. Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallet software are frequent targets for hacking, requiring robust security controls and vulnerability management. Additionally, the pseudonymous nature of transactions can facilitate illicit activities, challenging efforts to trace funds and enforce compliance. Defenses include hardware wallets, multi-factor authentication, and secure key management practices to mitigate risks inherent in cryptocurrency operations.
Illegal cryptocurrency flows hit a record $158 billion in 2025, reversing a three-year trend of declining amounts from $86B in 2021 to $64B in 2024. [...]
Also: CZ on Trump Pardon, Arrest in Crypto-Linked Drug CaseThis week, South Korean prosecutors probed missing seized bitcoin. CZ said a Trump pardon eased his conviction burden. A former Olympian arrested in a crypto-linked drug case. The U.S. SEC dropped litigation against Gemini Earn. Major hacks and a $37 million laundering prison sentence.
The North Korean threat group is using a new PowerShell backdoor to compromise development environments and target cryptocurrency holdings, according to researchers.
The North Korean threat actor known as Konni has been observed using PowerShell malware generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to target developers and engineering teams in the blockchain sector