Crypto hacks in August drain $163M as exploits surge 15%
Crypto hacks surged again in August, with attackers stealing $163M across 30 incidents. While centralized services bore the brunt, DeFi platforms also lost funds. The Lazarus Group was linked to several exploits, underscoring rising risks for Web3 security.
Data from blockchain security company PeckShield shows that the $163 million in losses is up 15% from the $142 million stolen in July. Centralized platforms bore the brunt of the attacks, losing $112 million, while decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols lost nearly $51 million.
The largest single incident was the $55 million attack on DeFi lending platform Hedgey Finance. Other notable breaches included $24 million stolen from lending protocol UwU Lend and $23 million lost by Yield Protocol.
PeckShield also highlighted the role of the Lazarus Group, a hacking organization linked to North Korea. The group has been tied to several of August’s incidents, continuing its history of targeting crypto platforms to fund the regime.
PeckShield also highlighted the role of the Lazarus Group, a hacking organization linked to North Korea. The group has been tied to several of August’s incidents, continuing its history of targeting crypto platforms to fund the regime.
Despite these figures, the total amount of damage in August 2025 is significantly lower than the $1.9 billion stolen during the same period in 2022, for example. Nevertheless, the trend highlights the ongoing risks in the Web3 ecosystem as attackers refine their methods.
Security experts warn that centralized platforms remain prime targets due to their large liquidity pools. DeFi projects, while smaller in size, are also vulnerable to smart contract flaws and flash loan exploits.
