Hackers Shift from Mixers to Bridges for Faster Crypto Laundering in 2025

Cross-chain bridges have emerged as the preferred tool for laundering stolen cryptocurrency in early 2025, surpassing traditional mixers like Tornado Cash. Analysts report over $1.5 billion in hacked funds moved through these bridges, leveraging their speed, liquidity, and lighter regulatory scrutiny.

The first half of 2025 saw unprecedented crypto hack volumes, with $3 billion stolen across 119 incidents—a 50% increase over all of 2024. Hackers now obscure asset origins in minutes, often before public disclosure of thefts. Centralized exchanges remain primary cash-out points, while recovery efforts lag.

This rapid laundering marks a fundamental shift in crypto crime dynamics. The velocity of fund movement has rendered traditional tracking methods increasingly ineffective, creating new challenges for investigators and regulators alike.