The crypto landscape in 2024 continues to evolve rapidly, with significant changes in the nature and volume of crypto-related crime. Comprehensive analysis of recent reports and data provides insight into current trends, key challenges and future implications for the industry.
Declining trend in crypto hacking and scamming
According to a report by Chainalysis, cryptocurrency hacking incidents experienced a remarkable decline in 2023. Hackers have stolen an estimated $1.7 billion from cryptocurrency platforms, marking a 54.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this decrease, the number of individual hacking incidents rose to 231, up from 219 in 2022. Organizations linked to North Korea were particularly active, with the number of hacks rising to a record 20.
Interestingly, the drop in stolen funds is largely due to a sharp decrease in DeFi hacking, suggesting an improvement in security practices within DeFi protocols. However, the decrease in DeFi hacking losses may also be partially due to the overall decline in DeFi activity in 2023.
Changes in illegal activity
In 2023, the total value obtained from suspicious crypto addresses is estimated to be $24.2 billion. The share of crypto transaction volume related to illegal activities decreased from 0.42% in 2022 to 0.34% in 2023. This drop is remarkable and shows a positive trend in the reduction of crypto-related crimes.
Stablecoins have emerged as the primary choice for illicit transactions, surpassing Bitcoin’s dominance. This change is due to the higher liquidity of stablecoins and the challenges that sanctioned entities face in accessing traditional financial systems. However, Bitcoin remains the preferred choice for darknet market sales and ransomware extortion
Ransomware and Darknet Markets: Resurgence
Contrary to the general downward trend, activities in the ransomware and darknet markets saw revenue growth in 2023. This resurgence suggests that attackers are adapting to improved cybersecurity measures. Darknet market revenue growth is particularly significant after the decline in 2022 due to the closure of Hydra, a major darknet market.
Sanctioned Entities and Jurisdictions
Transactions involving sanctioned entities and jurisdictions totaled $14.9 billion, representing 61.5% of all illicit transaction volume in 2023. This highlights the importance of regulatory oversight and compliance in the crypto industry to counter these large volumes of illegal transactions
Conclusion
Data from 2023 reveals a complex picture of crypto-related crimes. While there has been a significant reduction in hacking activities and fraud, the resurgence of ransomware and darknet market revenue, along with the prominence of transactions involving sanctioned individuals, underscores the need for constant vigilance and enhanced security measures in the crypto industry. These insights are critical to shaping regulatory frameworks and promoting a secure environment for all stakeholders.
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