Crypto Hacks in May 2025 Hit $244M, But $157M Frozen in Swift Recovery Efforts

Cryptocurrency losses from hacks in May 2025 totaled $244 million across 20 major incidents, marking a 39.29% decline from April. The largest breach targeted Cetus DEX, with $223 million stolen due to an MSB flaw. Despite the losses, recovery efforts proved effective, freezing or reclaiming $157 million of the stolen funds.

Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported the sharp drop in losses reflects improved security measures across the industry. The Cetus exploit alone accounted for nearly 90% of May’s total thefts, underscoring the persistent vulnerability of decentralized exchanges to sophisticated attacks.

While fraud remains prevalent, the coordinated response demonstrates growing institutional capability to mitigate damage. The partial recovery sets a precedent for future incidents, balancing the narrative between crypto’s risks and its evolving defenses.