The world of cryptocurrency has brought incredible innovation—but also a new wave of crime. From hacks to rug pulls to outright theft, crypto crimes are growing more sophisticated each year. To help you stay safe and ahead of the game, we’re breaking down 30 of the most important stats around crypto crimes. Each section unpacks one key stat, what it means, and what you can do about it. Whether you’re an investor, startup, or builder in the crypto space, this guide is for you.
1. In 2022, over $3.8 billion was stolen from crypto-related hacks, a record high.
This number is massive—and deeply troubling. The fact that nearly $4 billion was stolen from users, projects, and exchanges shows how lucrative crypto hacking has become for cybercriminals.
It’s not just a few rogue hackers. It’s organized groups, sophisticated malware, and coordinated attacks across multiple platforms.
So how does this affect you? Whether you’re a developer, investor, or part of a crypto project, you are a target. No one is too small to be hit. These hackers use automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities and pounce when they find them.
The best way to fight back is to get serious about security. For developers, it means running continuous audits—not just one before launch. It means stress testing your smart contracts and ensuring you don’t reuse code from unverified sources.
For investors, it means looking beyond hype. Ask projects what steps they’ve taken to secure user funds.
Don’t just go by marketing. Actually read their audit reports. Look at how long the project has been around, and how transparent the team is.
Also, never keep large amounts of crypto in hot wallets. Use cold storage for long-term holdings. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere. And consider using multi-signature wallets if you’re managing funds for others.
Hackers will always be a threat, but by staying alert and taking real precautions, you can stay one step ahead.
2. DeFi hacks accounted for 82% of all crypto hacks in 2022.
Decentralized finance—or DeFi—was supposed to eliminate middlemen and create a more open financial world. And while it’s done that in some ways, it’s also opened the floodgates for crime.
In 2022, most of the money stolen in crypto hacks came from DeFi platforms. Why? Because smart contracts are public, often unaudited, and can be exploited if even one line of code is wrong.
Hackers are constantly analyzing contracts on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain. If they find a bug or loophole, they strike fast. Many of these attacks happen within minutes of deployment.
Even worse, once the money is gone, it’s almost impossible to get it back.
For DeFi developers, this stat is a huge wake-up call. You need multiple layers of security. Start with formal verification of your code. Then get at least two external audits.
Run bug bounty programs to crowdsource vulnerability hunting. And make sure your upgrade mechanisms don’t open up new attack vectors.
For users, don’t just jump into any DeFi platform promising high returns. Check if they’ve been audited. Look at the team’s history. If it’s anonymous and just popped up last month, that’s a red flag.
Also, don’t deposit more than you can afford to lose. DeFi is powerful, but also risky. Approach it with caution, not blind faith.
3. North Korea-linked Lazarus Group was responsible for over $1.7 billion in stolen crypto in 2022.
When we think of hackers, we often picture a lone person in a hoodie. But that’s not always the case. The Lazarus Group is a state-sponsored group linked to North Korea. They’re well-funded, highly trained, and responsible for some of the biggest crypto hacks in history.
In 2022 alone, they were behind thefts totaling over $1.7 billion. That’s nearly half of all stolen crypto that year. They hit DeFi platforms, centralized exchanges, and even individual wallets.
They use phishing emails, social engineering, and fake job offers to get access to systems. Once inside, they move fast to drain funds.
What does this mean for the average crypto user or startup? It means the stakes are much higher than you think. You’re not just dealing with opportunists—you’re dealing with international cyber warfare.
These attackers are patient and skilled. They don’t care if you’re big or small. If you have weak security, you’re on their list.
To protect yourself, treat every email or message you receive as a possible phishing attempt. Never open unknown files or click strange links. Use hardware wallets for large holdings.
Keep your private keys offline. And educate your team regularly—because one careless click can open the door to a disaster.
4. 2023 saw a drop to around $1.7 billion in total crypto hacks, down 55% from 2022.
This might sound like good news—and in some ways, it is. Hackers stole less in 2023 than they did in 2022. A 55% drop is significant. But it doesn’t mean the problem is solved. In fact, it may just mean hackers are getting smarter and more selective.
Part of this drop is due to better security tools. More projects are getting audits. More developers are using libraries that have been battle-tested. And exchanges are tightening their procedures.
Law enforcement is also getting more involved, making it riskier for hackers to cash out.
But don’t let this stat make you complacent. Hacks are still happening every week. Projects are still being drained.
And new attack methods are always around the corner. The lower number may also be due to underreporting—many smaller projects don’t go public with their losses.
If you’re building in crypto, now is the time to double down on security. Just because fewer hacks were reported doesn’t mean your project is safe. Review your code, set up monitoring alerts, and educate your users.
A moment of calm is the best time to prepare—not the time to relax.
5. Rug pulls made up 34% of all crypto-related scams in 2021.
Rug pulls have become the go-to scam in crypto. Here’s how they work: a team creates a flashy new token, markets it like crazy, and pumps the price.
Once enough investors buy in, the team pulls all the liquidity, disappears, and leaves everyone else with worthless tokens.
In 2021, over a third of all crypto scams were rug pulls. That’s a huge number—and it shows how easy it is to set up a fake project and cash out. Many of these scams used social media to build hype.
They often had anonymous teams, fake partnerships, and plagiarized whitepapers.
If you’re an investor, this stat should hit hard. Before you put a single dollar into a project, ask questions. Who is behind it? Are they doxxed? Do they have a track record? Is the code open-source?
Has it been audited? If you can’t find clear answers, stay away.
Also, be careful with tokens that only trade on one platform or require you to “approve” smart contracts you don’t understand. Always limit token approvals to avoid giving a project full access to your wallet.
Don’t let FOMO guide your decisions—especially in a space where exits can happen in seconds.
6. In 2021, investors lost over $2.8 billion to rug pulls.
That’s nearly $3 billion—gone. Just from rug pulls. It’s a painful reminder that hype doesn’t equal value. Many investors get caught up in the excitement of a new coin or NFT project, only to be left with nothing.
These scams often promise massive returns, early access, or exclusive benefits.
But once the team vanishes, there’s no one to contact, no refunds, and no way to get your money back. It’s a hard lesson—and one that too many people have learned the hard way.
To avoid this, focus on fundamentals. A real project has real people, working products, and a clear roadmap.
They respond to community questions. They post updates. They aren’t afraid to be transparent. If a project is mostly hype with little substance, it’s a red flag.
As a rule of thumb, never invest more than you can afford to lose—especially in projects that haven’t proven themselves. Diversify across trusted projects and avoid chasing quick wins. And when in doubt, wait. In crypto, rushing often leads to regret.
7. Flash loan attacks led to $200+ million in losses in 2022.
Flash loans sound like a clever DeFi innovation—and they are. They let users borrow large amounts of money with zero collateral, as long as they repay the loan in the same transaction block. The problem? Hackers have found ways to abuse them.
In 2022, over $200 million was stolen through flash loan attacks. These attackers use borrowed funds to manipulate price oracles, drain liquidity pools, or exploit smart contract bugs.
All of it happens in seconds. No long-term planning, no repeated access—just a single, well-crafted transaction that empties the vault.
For developers, this is a critical area to address. If your protocol interacts with price feeds or has any kind of time-sensitive logic, you need to test it against flash loan scenarios.
Consider using oracle services like Chainlink that are harder to manipulate. Set transaction limits or implement circuit breakers that slow things down if abnormal activity is detected.
For investors, be cautious with DeFi protocols that haven’t addressed flash loan risks. Look for platforms that explain how they prevent price manipulation and front-running. If a project can’t defend itself against a one-shot attack, it’s not ready for your money.
8. More than 60% of rug pulls occurred on the Binance Smart Chain.
Binance Smart Chain (BSC) has made it incredibly easy for developers to launch new tokens.
That’s both a strength and a weakness. Low fees and simple deployment mean innovation can thrive—but they also make it a haven for scammers.
Over 60% of rug pulls in 2021 and 2022 happened on BSC. Many of these were cookie-cutter scams: cloned code, fake roadmaps, anonymous teams. They would launch, run a quick pump, and pull the liquidity—all in a matter of days.
Why BSC? Because it’s cheap to launch a token. For just a few dollars, anyone can deploy a smart contract and list it on PancakeSwap. This lowers the barrier for innovation but also for fraud.
Unlike Ethereum, where deploying and promoting a token costs more, BSC gives scammers more room to operate at scale.
To stay safe, don’t trust a token just because it’s trending on BSC. Do your research. Use tools like TokenSniffer or RugDoc to check contract risks. Read through community feedback.
And never ape into a new token just because the price chart looks good. Scams thrive on urgency. Slow down and verify.
9. Only 4.3% of stolen crypto was recovered in 2022.
Here’s the hard truth: once crypto is stolen, it’s usually gone. In 2022, just 4.3% of stolen funds were recovered. That means over 95% vanished—washed through mixers, swapped across chains, or cashed out.
Unlike traditional banks, there are no chargebacks in crypto. No customer service line to call. Once a hacker has your funds, recovery is extremely difficult.
Even when law enforcement gets involved, the process can take months or years—and success isn’t guaranteed.
What does this mean for you? Prevention is everything. You can’t afford to rely on recovery as a safety net. Use hardware wallets for large holdings. Be cautious with unknown smart contracts.
Limit token approvals and revoke them regularly. And most importantly, double-check every transaction before clicking “confirm.”
If you’re running a project, think about security as an ongoing investment—not a one-time task. Hire auditors. Update your protocols. Train your team. Because in crypto, once the money’s gone, it’s gone for good.
10. Tornado Cash was used to launder over $1.5 billion in illicit crypto.
Tornado Cash is a privacy tool that lets users mix their crypto with others, breaking the transaction trail. While it has legitimate uses, it’s also become a go-to service for laundering stolen crypto.
In fact, over $1.5 billion in illicit funds were routed through Tornado Cash.
This tool was used in many of the biggest hacks, including the Ronin Bridge and Harmony Horizon. Hackers send their stolen funds to Tornado, then withdraw the cleaned crypto in small amounts to fresh wallets.
Once the money is mixed, tracing it becomes extremely difficult.
As a project or platform, you need to be aware of how stolen funds flow. Implement analytics tools that flag interactions with mixers or known suspicious addresses.
If your platform is receiving funds that have touched Tornado Cash, you could be exposed to regulatory issues.
As an investor, avoid interacting with tokens or wallets that have a history of using mixers unless you understand the risks. Regulators are increasingly watching these tools, and assets connected to them may be frozen or blacklisted.
Privacy is important—but in crypto, it comes with responsibility. Make sure you’re not on the wrong side of a laundering trail.
11. In 2022, phishing scams increased by 40% in the crypto space.
Phishing scams have exploded across crypto platforms. In 2022 alone, phishing activity rose 40%. These scams often look legit—emails, fake login pages, even full-on fake websites that mirror the real thing.
Once you input your credentials or sign a malicious transaction, the scammers gain control of your wallet.
The rise in phishing is tied to increased adoption. As more people enter the space, scammers see fresh opportunities. They’ll impersonate support teams, influencers, even well-known developers. One wrong click and your assets are gone.
The best defense here is skepticism. Don’t trust links sent to you over Discord, Telegram, or Twitter. Always double-check URLs. Bookmark official websites instead of clicking through messages.
Never, ever share your private keys or seed phrases. No legit team will ask for them.
Use browser wallets like MetaMask with phishing protection features. Enable spending limits. And if something feels off—pause. Phishing only works when you’re rushing or distracted. Stay sharp and stay safe.
12. NFT scams accounted for over $100 million in stolen assets in 2022.
NFTs were one of the hottest trends of the last few years—but with popularity came scams.
Over $100 million was stolen through NFT-related fraud in 2022. Fake drops, phishing links, Discord compromises, and fake marketplaces led the way.
These scams often look exciting—exclusive mint links, early access, or urgent giveaways. But behind the scenes, they trick users into signing malicious transactions or sending ETH to the wrong address.
If you’re in the NFT world, slow down. Before minting, verify the project’s official channels.
Many scams use near-identical usernames and logos. Use tools like WalletGuard or Fire to see what you’re actually signing before confirming a transaction.
For creators, protect your community. Set up multi-sig wallets, rotate keys, and never share private links in public Discords. If you’re building a brand, your users will trust you—so don’t let scammers use your name to hurt them.
NFTs can be fun and profitable. But the excitement also makes it easy to let your guard down. Don’t.
13. 70% of DeFi hacks target smart contract vulnerabilities.
Smart contracts are the backbone of DeFi—but they’re also the weakest link when it comes to security. In 70% of DeFi-related hacks, the entry point was a flaw in the contract code itself.
That means the majority of these thefts could have been prevented with better coding, auditing, and testing.
Most of these vulnerabilities aren’t even advanced. Things like reentrancy bugs, logic errors, integer overflows, and lack of access controls are often to blame.
These are coding issues that a seasoned smart contract developer can catch—but unfortunately, many projects rush to launch without proper review.
If you’re building on-chain applications, this stat is a flashing red light. Before you launch, audit your code—then audit it again. Use static analysis tools like MythX or Slither. Run testnets extensively. Consider using formal verification if your protocol handles large sums.
And don’t just stop at launch. Code can degrade over time. Libraries change. New exploits emerge.
Build processes to keep checking and improving. If you can’t afford a full audit, at least do peer reviews with experienced developers.
For users, stick to protocols with a long history and multiple audits. Avoid interacting with smart contracts from projects that just launched or are forked from unknown sources.
Don’t be the guinea pig. Let someone else test the waters.
14. Average time before a rug pull project deletes its online presence: 5 days.
Rug pulls don’t just steal your money—they erase their tracks. The average rug pull project deletes its website, Twitter, Telegram, and Discord within five days of launch. That means if you blink, the whole operation disappears before you even realize you were scammed.
These projects often launch with aggressive marketing and fake hype. Influencers are paid to pump the token.
Then the team pulls the liquidity, sells off their holdings, and shuts down everything. No whitepaper, no roadmap—just exit.
To protect yourself, don’t invest in any project that hasn’t been around for at least a few weeks.
Look at their online presence. Are they active? Are their messages consistent? Do they answer questions? Real projects don’t vanish overnight.
Also, always use tools like Wayback Machine or Archive.today to save snapshots of a project’s website. Take screenshots of key details. This may not get your money back, but it helps with reporting scams and warning others.
If something feels rushed or too good to be true, trust that feeling. Take your time. The best investments are usually the ones you didn’t rush into.
15. Over 40% of rug pulls involve fake social media influencers or marketing.
Social proof is a powerful tool—and scammers know how to abuse it. Over 40% of rug pulls include fake or paid influencers hyping up the project on YouTube, Twitter, or TikTok. Sometimes these influencers are in on it.
Other times, they’re hired without knowing it’s a scam.
This marketing often uses urgency. “Only 100 spots left,” “Whales are buying now,” “Don’t miss the next 100x.” But behind the scenes, the team is getting ready to exit. Once enough users FOMO in, the rug is pulled and the influencers delete their posts.
As a user, never rely on influencer hype alone. Always dig deeper. If a project is getting attention, ask why. Does the influencer actually understand what the project does, or are they reading from a script?
Are they being paid to promote it? Is their wallet interacting with the token?
If you’re an influencer or marketer, this is a warning: your reputation is on the line. Promoting a rug pull—even by accident—can destroy your credibility. Always vet projects before endorsing them.
Ask for audits. Speak with the team. And never promote something just because the paycheck looks good.
Influence is power. Use it responsibly.
16. Private key leaks caused over $150 million in losses in 2021 alone.
Private keys are like the master password to your crypto. If someone gets your key, they get everything.
In 2021, over $150 million in crypto was lost due to private key leaks. These weren’t sophisticated hacks—they were simple mistakes.
People stored keys in email drafts. In cloud storage. On unencrypted notes.
Some even shared screenshots in group chats by accident. Hackers love this. They scan forums, social media, and leaked data dumps looking for any exposed key.
To stay safe, treat your private key like gold. Never store it digitally unless it’s encrypted. Avoid keeping it in cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Use a hardware wallet, or write it down and store it securely offline.
Use metal backups to protect against fire or water damage.
If you’re a developer or managing treasury funds, go one step further. Use multi-sig wallets so no single person has full access. Require approvals for transactions. And rotate keys periodically, especially if you suspect a breach.
One moment of carelessness can cost millions. Don’t let convenience become your enemy.
17. 2023 saw a 25% drop in total crypto-related fraud cases compared to 2022.
Finally, some good news. In 2023, the number of reported fraud cases in crypto dropped by 25% compared to 2022. That suggests that awareness is growing, tools are improving, and users are getting smarter.
Part of this drop is due to better reporting tools and scam trackers. Platforms like Chainalysis, TRM Labs, and CertiK are helping users spot scams before they happen. Exchanges are also freezing suspicious wallets faster.
And communities are quicker to call out bad actors.
That said, a drop in fraud doesn’t mean it’s gone. It just means the scams are evolving. Fewer brute-force cons, more social engineering. Fewer fake ICOs, more subtle NFT scams.
So while the numbers look better, the danger is still there.
Keep improving your habits. Use trusted platforms. Stay active in communities that prioritize education and transparency.
Share your knowledge. Every time you help someone avoid a scam, you’re making the space safer for everyone.
Progress is real—but the work isn’t done.
18. Ethereum remains the most targeted blockchain for hacks.
Ethereum is the biggest playground in crypto—and hackers know it.
With thousands of apps, billions in locked value, and endless smart contracts, it’s no surprise that Ethereum is the most targeted chain when it comes to attacks.
This isn’t because Ethereum is unsafe. It’s because it has the most activity. Like any big city, it attracts both builders and criminals. If you’re a hacker, you go where the money is—and Ethereum is where the money is.
That means projects built on Ethereum need to take security seriously. Every line of code should be reviewed. Use well-tested libraries like OpenZeppelin. Leverage Ethereum’s mature audit ecosystem.
And when you fork a protocol, understand every line—not just the features you like.
For users, be cautious even with Ethereum-based apps. Don’t assume a project is safe just because it’s on ETH. Look at how long it’s been live. See if it’s open-source.
Read their audit reports, if available. And keep an eye on community sentiment—red flags often surface early if people are paying attention.
Ethereum is powerful. It’s flexible. And yes, it’s risky. Respect that risk, and you’ll navigate the ecosystem more safely.
19. Approximately 25% of stolen funds are moved through mixers within 24 hours.
Once crypto is stolen, speed is everything for the thieves. About 25% of all stolen funds are sent through mixing services within just 24 hours. The goal is simple: break the trail, confuse investigators, and hide the money.
Mixers like Tornado Cash, Wasabi Wallet, or other custom tools blend stolen coins with clean ones.
This makes it extremely hard to trace the origin of funds. Within hours, hackers will split large sums into many smaller wallets, mix them, and begin swapping across chains or converting to stablecoins.
If you’re a project or protocol, you need to build in wallet tracking tools that flag mixer addresses and track abnormal behavior. Use services like Chainalysis or Elliptic to watch for laundering flows.
You can block known addresses or delay transactions when suspicious patterns are spotted.
As an individual, don’t ever interact with wallets known to be involved in laundering—your funds can be flagged or frozen by centralized platforms later. Also, if someone offers to sell you crypto at a discount, beware—it might be “dirty” money that’s just been washed.
Criminals move fast. If you want to protect your platform or assets, you need to move faster—or at least see them coming.
20. In 2021, $14 billion in crypto was linked to illicit addresses.
That’s a jaw-dropping number—$14 billion in crypto, flowing through wallets tied to illegal activity.
This includes scams, ransomware, stolen funds, and dark web purchases. It proves how much illicit use still exists in crypto despite growing regulation.
This doesn’t mean crypto is inherently criminal. But it does mean that certain areas—like privacy coins, unregulated exchanges, or DeFi platforms with no KYC—are still heavily used for laundering and fraud.
If you’re building in this space, know your exposure. If your platform connects to wallets tied to illicit funds, you may face compliance risks—even if you didn’t knowingly participate.
Regulators are watching this closely now, and the tolerance for ignorance is shrinking.
For businesses, implementing KYT (Know Your Transaction) systems is essential. Track flows. Flag bad actors. Work with on-chain analytics providers to stay ahead of threats.
And for users: steer clear of platforms that don’t play by the rules. The appeal of “total anonymity” can turn into an operational nightmare if your funds get caught in a laundering investigation.
Stick with exchanges and tools that take compliance seriously—it’s protection, not punishment.
21. 2022 saw over 120 major crypto theft incidents globally.
That’s more than two major thefts every week. Whether it was a protocol exploit, an exchange hack, or a phishing scheme that stole millions, 2022 was packed with headline-worthy attacks. The pace was relentless.
And it wasn’t just big-name platforms—many smaller projects were hit hard too.
The pattern? Poor security, rushed launches, and unchecked smart contract logic. Once a bug is found, it’s only a matter of time before someone exploits it.
As a project team, treat every launch as a potential attack point. Have a plan in place for emergencies. Set up multisig access so funds can’t be moved unilaterally. Use time-locks to delay big withdrawals.
And most importantly, respond fast when something seems off. Delays in response have cost projects tens of millions.
As an investor, diversify. Never hold all your assets in one place—especially in a new or unaudited platform. Monitor on-chain activity if you’re providing liquidity or staking.
Get out early if you sense trouble. And never ignore a smart contract warning from your wallet provider.
Thefts are frequent. But by studying how they happen, you can stay one step ahead.
22. The average loss per DeFi hack in 2022 was over $10 million.
That’s not a typo. When a DeFi hack happens, it’s not for a few thousand dollars—it’s usually a multimillion-dollar event. In 2022, the average hack drained over $10 million per incident.
This highlights how high the stakes are. DeFi projects often manage massive TVLs (Total Value Locked), but they don’t always have enterprise-level security.
Many are built by small teams under pressure, racing to innovate faster than competitors.
For developers, this stat is a reminder that one flaw can bring down your entire platform—and bankrupt your users. Treat every new feature as a risk. Don’t just ship fast.
Build secure, then ship. Maintain bug bounties and hire white-hat hackers to test your defenses regularly.
If you’re a DAO or protocol with a treasury, spread your holdings across secure, diversified wallets. Don’t keep everything in one smart contract. Use fail-safes like emergency pause functions to freeze contracts in case of an attack.
Users should pay attention to TVL, but not be blinded by it. A high TVL does not mean safety. Look at how the protocol is built. Look at how fast it’s grown. More money often means more risk—not less.
23. More than 50% of rug pull victims are retail investors.
Rug pulls hurt, and they hurt the little guys the most. Over half of all rug pull victims are individual retail investors—people putting in their savings, hoping to catch the next big thing, only to be left holding worthless tokens.
Retail investors are especially vulnerable because they often rely on surface-level signals: a slick website, influencer tweets, or a token trending on social media.
Scammers exploit this by creating projects that look legit, but are designed to vanish.
If you’re a retail investor, slow down. Do your research. Look for signs of commitment—has the team shown their faces? Is the code audited? Is there an actual product, or just hype?
Don’t invest in projects you don’t understand. If you can’t explain how it works to a friend, you probably shouldn’t put your money into it.
Stick with ecosystems and tokens that have been battle-tested over time. And avoid investing money you can’t afford to lose.
Crypto can be empowering for retail investors—but only if you stay sharp and avoid the traps.
24. Only 0.15% of all crypto transactions in 2021 were illicit.
Now here’s a stat that often surprises people. Despite all the headlines about scams and hacks, just 0.15% of all crypto transactions in 2021 were tied to illegal activity. That’s tiny—especially compared to the perception many people have about crypto being “criminal money.”
This shows two things. First, the majority of crypto activity is legitimate—trading, investing, building, gaming, saving. And second, the bad actors are a small but noisy minority.
They do real damage, but they don’t represent the space.
So if you’re building in crypto, don’t be discouraged by the negativity. Most users want fair, honest, and secure products. And regulators are starting to see the difference between real innovation and criminal abuse.
However, even though the percentage is small, the dollar amounts are still massive—because the industry is so big. That means risk is real, even if it’s rare. Keep building responsibly.
Educate your users. Work with ethical partners.
Crypto is still early—but stats like this show we’re moving in the right direction.
25. Over 2,000 fake token projects were identified in 2022.
The low barrier to entry in crypto means anyone can launch a token—literally anyone.
In 2022 alone, over 2,000 fake tokens were identified. These weren’t just poorly run projects. They were deliberate scams created with no intention to build anything real.
Many of these tokens copied the names and logos of popular coins. Some launched with fake audits. Others used bots to pump their price and fake volume on decentralized exchanges.
But they all had one thing in common: they were built to dump.
As an investor, you’ve got to learn to spot the signs. Be wary of tokens with anonymous devs and zero community engagement. Check if the contract code is verified and open-source.
Look at how the liquidity is structured—if the team controls most of it, it’s a huge red flag.
If you’re a founder or developer, this is a call to differentiate yourself. Don’t just say you’re legit—prove it. Publish your code. Get audited. Talk to your users. Build in public. The best projects rise above the noise not by marketing harder, but by being transparent and consistent.
The crypto space is full of potential, but fake tokens are poison. Let’s keep calling them out—and keep building the real stuff.
26. Smart contract audits reduce hack risk by 60%, yet only ~30% of projects get audited.
Audits work. A properly done smart contract audit can reduce the risk of a hack by over 60%. And yet, fewer than one-third of crypto projects actually get audited. That’s like building a skyscraper without checking the foundation.
Audits catch the vulnerabilities developers miss—logic errors, improper access controls, edge-case exploits. They also send a strong message: we care about your safety.
So why do most projects skip it? Cost, time, or ego. Some devs think their code is solid.
Others don’t want to delay a launch. But skipping security checks is like skipping brakes on a racecar. Eventually, someone’s going to crash.
If you’re a builder, make auditing a core part of your development cycle. Budget for it.
Plan for it. Choose a respected firm with a proven track record—not the cheapest one. And don’t stop at one audit. Every update needs review.
If you’re a user, don’t touch unaudited protocols—especially with large amounts.
Always ask for audit reports, and read them if you can. Even if you don’t understand all the code, you can check if critical issues were found and whether they were fixed.
Security is not optional. It’s survival.
27. Discord-based NFT scams rose by over 70% in 2022.
NFT communities love Discord—but so do scammers. In 2022, Discord-based scams rose by more than 70%. These include fake mint links, compromised mod accounts, and phishing bots flooding DM inboxes.
The most common trick? Hackers gain access to a Discord server—often through a mod account—and post fake announcements. “Mint now,” “Flash sale,” “Claim your reward.” The link looks official, but it drains your wallet.
To stay safe, never trust links shared in DMs, even if it’s from someone you know.
Use link-checking bots and browser add-ons to preview where you’re being sent. Most importantly, verify all announcements on the project’s official Twitter or website before taking action.
If you run a project, lock down your Discord. Use 2FA for all admin accounts. Limit bot permissions. Set up alerts for changes to critical channels. Educate your community regularly on scam prevention.
And when in doubt, delay—not delete.
Discord is a powerful tool, but it needs constant vigilance. One breach can wreck trust and drain wallets.
28. 1 in 10 new tokens on decentralized exchanges are scam-related.
That’s right—10% of new tokens launched on DEXs like Uniswap or PancakeSwap are scams.
These tokens are often designed to pump, then dump. Some even block users from selling, locking them in while the devs exit.
Why does this happen so often? Because launching on a DEX is cheap and requires no approval. Scammers can create a token, list it, and disappear within a day. No middlemen, no KYC, no friction.
As a user, be cautious with new tokens—especially those that appear out of nowhere or have sudden hype. Use scanners like TokenSniffer to check for red flags like high sell taxes or owner-only mint functions.
Read the contract if you can—or ask someone who can.
Don’t buy just because something is trending or a friend mentioned it. Take a moment to step back and investigate. If a token’s entire appeal is “it’s going to the moon,” that’s not a reason—it’s a trap.
The DEX revolution gives power to the people—but with power comes responsibility. Be the smart one in the crowd.
29. Exit scams in 2022 led to over $350 million in losses.
Exit scams are the quiet killers of crypto. They don’t need flash—they just need trust. A team builds a product, raises money, and then… they disappear. No hack, no announcement, no trace.
In 2022, these scams led to over $350 million in lost funds. Most of them didn’t make headlines. They weren’t spectacular. They just quietly shut down and took the money with them.
Many happened in IDOs or presales where investors sent ETH or BNB expecting future tokens or returns. The team would build just enough to look legit, then vanish when the money rolled in.
To avoid these, verify everything. Do the founders have a real identity? Have they worked on past projects? Are they active in the community, or hiding behind PR accounts? If you’re unsure, don’t invest.
Projects that are serious usually lock up team tokens, publish vesting schedules, and make treasury wallets public. Look for those signs. Trust is built over time, not overnight.
Crypto moves fast, but your money doesn’t need to.
30. Over $300 million was lost due to bridge hacks like Ronin and Wormhole in 2022.
Cross-chain bridges are amazing—until they break. In 2022, some of the biggest hacks in crypto came from bridge exploits, costing users over $300 million. Ronin and Wormhole were the biggest names, but many smaller bridges also got hit.
Why are bridges so risky? Because they’re complex. They rely on smart contracts, external validators, and sometimes centralized components. A flaw in any piece can bring the whole system down. And because they often hold massive liquidity, they’re prime targets.
For builders, this means double down on testing. Make your bridge as simple as possible. Get it audited by multiple firms. Monitor all activity. And if you’re using external validators, make sure they’re diverse and independent.
For users, minimize your time on bridges. Use them only when necessary. Don’t park assets on them long-term. And choose bridges with a track record, not just the cheapest fees.
Interoperability is the future of crypto—but only if we build it securely.
wrapping it up
Crypto is still in its early days. We’re building the future of finance, art, identity, and ownership—but that future will only be sustainable if we build it on trust and accountability.
The stats in this article are not meant to scare you—they’re meant to prepare you. Hacks, rug pulls, and thefts aren’t going away anytime soon, but your awareness and actions can make all the difference.
Whether you’re an investor trying to protect your assets, a founder launching your next project, or a curious newcomer, security is now your responsibility too.
