1. Overview of Web3 Blockchain Security in Early 2025
Beosin Alert's monitoring reveals that Web3 suffered approximately $21.38 billion in losses during H1 2025 due to:
- 90 major attacks ($20.93 billion)
- Rug Pulls ($3.2 million)
- Phishing scams ($41.38 million)
Key Trends:
- Exchanges absorbed 74.4% of losses ($15.91 billion across 6 incidents).
- Ethereum remained the most targeted chain: 81 attacks ($17.39 billion, 81.3% of total).
- Sui ranked second ($224 million loss, primarily from Cetus Protocol incident).
Attack Methods:
- Contract vulnerabilities caused 63 incidents ($408 million).
- Wallet infrastructure flaws (e.g., Bybit’s $1.44 billion hack) dominated losses (67.4%).
Fund Recovery:
- Only 11.1% ($238 million) of stolen assets were frozen/recovered.
- 71.2% remain circulating in on-chain wallets.
2. Major Attack Incidents (H1 2025)
| Attack | Loss | Chain | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bybit | $1.44B | Ethereum | Safe wallet frontend hijack |
| Cetus Protocol | $224M | Sui | Contract logic flaw |
| Nobitex | $90M | Multi-chain | Unspecified* |
| Phemex | $70M | Multi-chain | Private key leak |
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*Pro-Israel group "Gonjeshke Darande" claimed responsibility for Nobitex attack.
3. Targeted Project Types
Centralized Exchanges (CEX)
- 6 attacks ($15.91 billion)
- Top victims: Bybit, Nobitex, Phemex
DeFi Protocols
- Cetus Protocol ($224M) accounted for 69.1% of DeFi losses.
- Other targets: Abracadabra Finance ($13M), Cork Protocol ($12M).
4. Chain-Specific Losses
| Blockchain | Attacks | Losses | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | 81 | $17.39B | 81.3% |
| BNB Chain | 33 | $42.53M | 1.99% |
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5. Attack Techniques Breakdown
- 70% exploited contract vulnerabilities.
Top flaws:
- Business logic errors ($356M)
- Algorithm defects ($21.37M)
- Validation gaps ($12.7M)
6. Stolen Fund Trajectory
- 4.6% ($97.89M) reached exchanges (down from 2024).
- 13% ($278M) funneled into mixers (Tornado Cash + others).
7. 2025 Security Outlook & Recommendations
Critical Takeaways:
- Exchange security demands urgent upgrades (multi-sig, cold storage).
- Ethereum projects require rigorous pre-launch audits.
- Global AML collaboration must intensify to track cross-chain laundering.
Proactive Measures:
For projects:
- Engage formal verification audits (e.g., Beosin’s "Security+Compliance" suite).
- Implement real-time monitoring (KYT tools).
For users:
- Verify contracts via block explorers.
- Use hardware wallets for high-value assets.
FAQ
Q: Why are exchanges targeted more frequently?
A: Centralized platforms aggregate vast liquidity with single points of failure (e.g., hot wallets).
Q: How effective are mixers for laundering?
A: While Tornado Cash usage declined post-sanctions, alternatives like Railway and Privaxy gained traction.
Q: Can stolen crypto be recovered?
A: Only if intercepted early—exchanges now freeze suspicious deposits within minutes.
Q: Which chains are safest for DeFi?
A: No chain is immune, but newer ecosystems (e.g., Sui, Aptos) benefit from Rust-based safeguards.
Disclaimer: This report serves educational purposes only. Always conduct independent research before engaging with Web3 protocols.