The cryptocurrency exchange Bybit was hacked for more than $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum on February 21st in what cybersecurity experts are calling the largest-ever crypto theft. North Korea’s Lazarus Group is responsible for the $1.4 billion hack of ByBit, according to zachxbt.

According to Chainalysis, 2024 saw 303 individual hacking incidents, up from 282 in 2023, with stolen crypto funds totaling $2.2 billion—a 21.07% increase from the previous year. In 2024, North Korean hackers stole more from crypto platforms than ever before. Hackers linked to North Korea have become notorious for their sophisticated and relentless tradecraft, often employing advanced malware, social engineering, and cryptocurrency theft to fund state-sponsored operations and circumvent international sanctions. 

Significant Crypto Hacks in History

It is important to be aware of the major security failures that have had a significant impact on the crypto industry in order to make smart decisions about the safest way to store cryptocurrency.    

2025 Feb | Bybit | Exchange 

The cryptocurrency exchange Bybit was hacked for more than $1.4 billion worth of Ethereum on February 21st in what cybersecurity experts are calling the largest-ever crypto theft. North Korea’s Lazarus Group is responsible for the $1.4 billion hack of ByBit, according to zachxbt.

July 2024 | OKX | Exchange

$11.6 Million Vanishes From QuantMatter’s OKX Institutional Account

Users funds lost ≈ $11,600,000 USD

June 2024 | OKX | Exchange

In just 15 minutes, an OKX user had all his assets, totaling approximately $680K, stolen without clicking any unsafe links or providing verification information.

Users funds lost ≈ $680,000 USD

May 2024 | Binance | Exchange

Binance Hack: Users Hit by Google Plugin Scam, Lose Millions

Users funds lost ≈ $1,000,000 US

January 2024 | Serenity Shield | Software wallet

Security Breach At Serenity Shield: $5.6 Million Worth Of Tokens Compromised

Users funds lost ≈ $5,600,000 USD

December 2023 | CertiK | Decentralized Exchange

CertiK’s social media hacked, users warned against phishing links disguised as Uniswap exploit.

Users funds lost - Not revealed

Nov 2023 | Ledger Connect | Hardware wallet

Ledger Connect Kit Hack. Over $850k has been stolen from users of many different crypto websites, including SushiSwap and Revoke.cash.

Users funds lost ≈ $850,000 USD

Oct 2023 | HTX | Exchange

Crypto exchange HTX and blockchain protocol Heco Chain were hacked for a cumulative $97 million in various tokens.

Users funds lost ≈ $97,000,000 USD

August 2023 | HTX | Exchange

HTX was hacked and 5,000 ETH worth $8M was stolen.

Users funds lost ≈ $8,000,000 USD

August 2023 | Mixin | Exchange 

Mixin Network was hacked and $200M was stolen.

Users funds lost ≈ $200,000,000 USD

August 2023 | JPEX | Exchange

JPEX was hacked and $4.3M worth of crypto was stolen.

Users funds lost ≈ $4,300,000 USD

Aug 2023 | CoinEX | Exchange 

CoinEX was hacked and $53M worth of ETH, TRON, and Polygon was stolen.

Users funds lost ≈ $53,000,000 USD 

June 2023 | Curve Finance | Exchange

Curve Finance was drained of $50M in DeFi exploit.

Users funds lost ≈ $50,000,000 USD 

June 2023 | Alphapo | Software wallet

Alphapo was hacked and $31M worth of crypto was stolen.

Users funds lost ≈ $31,000,000 USD

March 2023 | Trust Wallet | Software wallet

Trust Wallet Browser Extension generated vulnerable new wallet addresses in November 2022 due to a WebAssembly vulnerability in the Wallet Core open-source library.

Users funds lost ≈ $170,000 USD

March 2023 | Kucoin | Exchange 

Kucoin Twitter account was hacked and users were tricked into sending crypto to the hacker's address.

Users funds lost ≈ $23,000 USD

Nov 2022 | BitKeep | Software wallet

Multichain crypto wallet BitKeep reported stolen funds

Users funds lost ≈ $8,000,000 USD

October 2022 | FTX | Exchange

FTX Crypto exchange suffered an exploit

Users funds lost ≈ $400,000,000 USD
 

January 2022 | Gemini | Exchange

IRA Financial Trust retirement accounts held at Gemini got drained

Users funds lost ≈ $36,000,000 USD

November 2021 |  BitMart | Exchange 

Crypto exchange BitMart private key got stolen

Users funds lost ≈ $196,000,000 USD

 

Feb 2021 | Coinbase | Exchange

Coinbase users got attacked by a SIM swap scam

Users funds lost - Not revealed

 

January 2021 | Cryptopia | Exchange

New Zealand crypto exchange Cryptopia had a second hack

Users funds lost ≈ $16,000,000 USD
 

November 2020 | EXMO | Exchange 

EXMO exchange got hacked

Users funds lost ≈ $7,000,000 USD

 

August 2020 | Eterbase | Exchange 

Slovak cryptocurrency exchange Eterbase disclosed a hack

Users funds lost ≈ $5,300,000 USD

August 2020 | KuCoin | Exchange

KuCoin crypto exchange got attacked by hackers

Users funds lost ≈ $150,000,000 USD

January 2020 | Altsbit | Exchange

Crypto exchange Altsbit lost "almost all funds"

Users funds lost ≈ $300,000 USD  

October 2019 | Upbit | Exchange

Crypto exchange Upbit confirmed a theft

Users funds lost ≈ $50,000,000 USD
 

October 2019 | Bittrex | Exchange 

Crypto exchange Bittrex SIM swap hack

Users funds lost ≈ $1,000,000 USD
 

Jun 2019 | BITPoint | Exchange

Japan licensed crypto exchange BITPoint users crypto assets has had stolen

Users funds lost ≈ $32,000,000 USD

 

April 2019 | Binance | Exchange 

Binance has disclosed large scale security breach

Users funds lost ≈ $40,700,000 USD
 

February 2019 | DragonEx | Exchange

Singapore-based exchange DragonEx has been hacked

Users funds lost ≈ $7,000,000 USD
 

Dec 2018 | QuadrigaCX | Exchange 

QuadrigaCX fraud led to loss user funds

Users funds lost ≈ $190,000,000 USD   

Nov 2018 |  Electrum | Exchange

Hackers stole Electrum wallet users funds via installing malware on users’ computers

Users funds lost ≈ $22,000,000 USD
 

August 2018 | Zaif | Exchange

Crypto exchange Zaif has been hacked

Users funds lost ≈ $60,000,000 USD
 

Jun 2018 | Bancor | Software wallet

Crypto company Bancor has lost tokens belonging to its users following a hack

Users funds lost ≈ $23,500,000 USD
 

May 2018 | Bithumb | Exchange

Hackers stole from the South Korea-based exchange Bithumb

Users funds lost ≈ $31,000,000 USD
 

May 2018 | Coinrail | Exchange

Coinrail exchange hacked

Users funds lost ≈ $40,000,000 USD
 

January 2018 |  BitGrail | Exchange 

Popular cryptocurrency exchange BitGrail has reported a loss

Users funds lost ≈ $170,000,000 USD

December 2017 | Coincheck | Exchange

World's biggest ever digital currency 'theft' of Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck

Users funds lost ≈ $534,000,000 USD
 

Dec 2017 | Black Wallet | Software wallet

Online wallet Black Wallet has claimed to have been hacked

Users funds lost ≈ $400,000 USD

 

Now more than ever, reliable cold storage matters. 

Take control of your asset security today with Ballet. Ballet’s REAL Series cold storage wallet is 100% offline and self-custodial. It protects your digital wealth from exchanges and cyber threats and requires no account setup—just load crypto onto the card and instantly transfer ownership by handing it to someone. It’s an ideal way to safeguard and pass down your crypto.

• Secure: No electronics, no chips, 100% offline cold storage ensures peace of mind. 

• Reliable: Trusted by crypto professionals and pioneers, Ballet cold wallets have secured over $800 million in digital assets worldwide.

• Beginner-Friendly: No account setup or technical expertise required—perfect for newcomers looking for a straightforward storage solution.

• Industry-Leading Technology: Ballet uses two-factor private key generation based on BIP38 open-source standards for enhanced security.

• Seamless Gifting: Easily load cryptocurrency onto the wallet and share it with family members as a gift or inheritance.

 

Learn more about the 5 Benefits of Using a Cold Storage Wallet for Your Cryptocurrency

Learn more about the 5 Tips to Secure Your Cryptocurrency in 2025

 

Useful Links: 

Ballet Official Online Store

Anti-Counterfeiting Guide

Download Ballet Crypto App

 

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