Report: Crypto phishing losses decreased by 83% in 2025, but attackers shifted to low-value, high-frequency strategies.
TL;DR
Cryptocurrency phishing losses dropped 83% to $83.85 million in 2025, but attackers are now using low-value, high-frequency tactics. Losses correlate with market cycles, peaking during high on-chain activity like Ethereum's rally.
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According to a Odaily by Web3 security platform Scam Sniffer, cryptocurrency phishing attacks related to wallet drainers saw a significant decrease in 2025, with total losses falling to $83.85 million, an 83% reduction from nearly $494 million in 2024. Despite the substantial decrease in losses, the report warns that phishing activity has not disappeared, but attackers are shifting to low-risk, high-frequency strategies. Losses are closely correlated with market cycles, increasing during periods of high on-chain activity and decreasing during market downturns. The third quarter of 2025 coincided with Ethereum's (ETH) strongest annual rally, with phishing losses reaching $31 million, accounting for nearly 29% of the total losses for the year.
The report states, "When the market is active, overall user activity increases, and the proportion of victims also rises—the probability of phishing attacks is positively correlated with user activity." Monthly losses ranged from $2.04 million in December, the calmest month, to $12.17 million in August, the most active month. (Cointelegraph)