Cyberattacks on crypto exchanges: threats and protection

Introduction: The Core of the News and Why It Is Dangerous

Cyberattacks on cryptocurrency exchanges are becoming the primary threat to the blockchain industry. According to PeckShield, in November 2025, crypto project losses reached a record $194 million — a 969% increase compared to October. Major incidents include attacks on the Balancer v2 protocol ($137.4 million in losses), the South Korean exchange Upbit ($36 million), and the Yearn Finance platform ($9 million).

This highlights the vulnerabilities of decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional exchanges, where infrastructure weaknesses and insufficient data protection play into the hands of attackers. The primary tools used by hackers are code exploits, phishing, and compromised API attacks.

Situation Analysis: How Do Hackers Attack Crypto Exchanges?

Key Attack Scenarios

1. Smart Contract Code Vulnerabilities
   The Balancer v2 protocol lost over $137 million due to a code error. This is a prime example of how projects with large liquidity pools attract the attention of hackers.

2. Phishing and Credential Compromise
   The Upbit exchange suffered from social engineering — attacks through fraudulent emails and fake web pages.

3. Dirty Crypto and Mixers
   Hackers utilize cryptocurrency mixing mechanisms to launder stolen funds and hide their origin, making them difficult to track.

Risks for Users: Why Does This Affect Everyone?

Losses from cyberattacks impact not only crypto exchanges but also their clients. Main threats include:

• Account Blocking. If your wallet is linked to a transaction tagged with sanctions, the exchange may freeze your assets until the investigation is complete.
• Financial Losses. Any vulnerability on an exchange can directly affect users' personal funds.
• Decline in Market Trust. These incidents significantly damage the image of the crypto industry, reducing institutional interest.

How to Protect Yourself: Practical Tips

To avoid becoming a victim of hackers, follow these recommendations:

1. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Ensure additional account protection by activating two-factor authentication via apps like Google Authenticator.

2. Verify Addresses Before Transfers

Before sending funds, perform an AML screening to ensure the address does not belong to a wallet with a sanction label. This minimizes the risks of account blocking and loss of assets.

3. Keep the Bulk of Your Funds Off Exchanges

Diversify your assets: keep your main capital in hardware wallets, and use platforms with multi-signature features for daily operations.

4. Monitor Changes in Legislation and KYC Rules

Regularly check for changes in crypto regulations and comply with exchange identity verification requirements.

5. Audit Counterparties

If you interact with external wallets or platforms, verify their reputation and reliability.

Conclusion

Cyberattacks on crypto exchanges remain a sharp and growing problem. The industry must strengthen security measures, increase monitoring automation, and invest in code audits. However, users must also remain vigilant: only a responsible approach to storing and transferring assets will help minimize the risk of losing funds.

The global tightening of crypto market regulation, including KYC, AML screening, and "dirty crypto" monitoring, will be a key step toward creating a secure and transparent ecosystem.