Crypto hackers stole a record $3.3bn from cryptocurrency businesses last year, says blockchain firm Chainalysis. It represents an increase of half a billion dollars in theft compared to the $3.3bn in 2021.
The increase is even more pronounced when compared to 2019 and 2020, when each year’s total was significantly lower at $500 million. Over the course of 2022, October was the most lucrative single month for cryptocurrency hacking, with $775.7 million stolen in 32 separate attacks, the most notable of which were the hacks on BNB Chain and Mango Markets. March saw another surge in cryptocurrency hacking, with $732.4 million stolen, owing in large part to the Axie hack.