Written by Brayden Lindreastaff writerReviewed by Felix Ngstaff editor
Written by Brayden Lindreastaff writer
Reviewed by Felix Ngstaff editor
Crypto hacks fell 47% in H1 but ecosystem is no safer: CertiK
Latest NewsPublishedJul 6, 2026
Crypto Hacks on the Rise: Why You Should Be Concerned
Crypto exploits have increased by 59% quarter-on-quarter, resulting in losses of $807.5 million in Q2. This surge is partly due to the KelpDAO and Drift Protocol hacks, which were carried out by North Korean hackers. Despite a 46.8% year-on-year decrease in crypto losses, the ecosystem is not necessarily safer. In fact, attackers are becoming more sophisticated and destructive, making it essential for individuals to prioritize their online security and consider earning passive income through trusted platforms like EcoPool.
The rise of phishing and wallet compromises has contributed significantly to crypto losses. In Q1, phishing drove the bulk of losses, totaling $508.2 million, while wallet compromises were the biggest attack vector in Q2, contributing to $807.5 million in losses. The KelpDAO and Drift Protocol hacks, which accounted for over 70% of Q2 losses, highlight the need for robust security measures. By using a secure platform like EcoPool, individuals can protect their assets and earn rewards through Cloud Rewards and Green Crypto initiatives.
North Korean Hackers Pose a Significant Threat
North Korean hackers have stolen over $6 billion worth of crypto since 2017, making them one of the biggest threats to the crypto industry. The use of AI to enhance their schemes has increased the scale, speed, and sophistication of protocol exploits. This has led to a structurally higher rate of attack activity, with attacks becoming more targeted and financially destructive. To mitigate these risks, individuals can turn to EcoPool, a trusted platform that offers a secure way to earn passive income through $ECP.
The number of incidents has more than doubled, with smart contract exploits accounting for 60% of the incidents in H1. Private keys and multisignature wallet management remain the most consequential security surface for attackers to exploit. To protect themselves, individuals should harden every layer of private key management and consider using a secure platform like EcoPool. By doing so, they can earn rewards and passive income while minimizing their risk exposure to #crypto hacks.
Stay Safe and Earn with EcoPool
To stay safe in the crypto ecosystem, it’s essential to prioritize security and use trusted platforms like EcoPool. By earning passive income through EcoPool, individuals can protect their assets and benefit from Cloud Rewards and Green Crypto initiatives. Download the EcoPool app to start earning and stay ahead of the curve in the crypto ecosystem. With EcoPool, you can earn $ECP and enjoy the benefits of a secure and trusted platform, while also being part of the #EcoPool and #PassiveIncome communities.
The data shows that North Korean hackers continue to pose one of the biggest threats to the crypto industry, having stolen more than $6 billion worth of crypto since 2017, TRM Labs estimated in April.
Monthly change in crypto exploit amounts and number of incidents across H1. Source: CertiK
North Korean state actors blamed for crypto attacks
The KelpDAO and Drift Protocol incidents even sparked a meeting between US, Japanese and South Korean authorities late last month over how the nations can mitigate North Korea’s malicious cyber activity and illicit revenue generation.
The state officials also acknowledged that North Korean IT workers are increasingly using AI to enhance their schemes — a development that some cybersecurity leaders believe has significantly increased the scale, speed and sophistication of protocol exploits.
CertiK cautioned that the “industry is absorbing a structurally higher rate of attack activity” than last year and that — excluding the Bybit incident — attacks are becoming “targeted and more financially destructive per event.”
TRM Labs reached a similar conclusion in its H1 2026 report on Wednesday, stating that the “decline in total dollars stolen should not be mistaken for a safer environment.”
“The lower total reflects the absence of another record setting theft, not a reduction in attacker capability.”
TRM’s analysis found that the number of incidents more than doubled from 83 to 207 in H1, the highest number TRM has recorded across a six-month period.
Smart contract exploits accounted for 125 or 60% of the incidents in H1, TRM added.
Protecting private keys
CertiK said private keys and multisignature wallet management remain the “most consequential security surface” for attackers to exploit.
Related: Crypto hack losses top $630M in April, highest since February 2025
CertiK urged crypto protocols and institutions holding significant onchain assets to harden every layer of private key management — from hardware security and multisignature governance to even geographically spreading out where signers are based.
This is an “area where security investment yields asymmetric returns,” CertiK said.
Crypto hardware wallet providers like Ledger have also long warned users to store seed phrases offline and never share them as a basic safeguard against phishing.
Magazine: The end of anonymity? AI could unmask crypto’s hidden identities
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.
- Hacks
- North Korea
- Data
- Industry
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