CertiK Predicts 'Endless War' with Crypto Hackers After $2.5B Stolen
The crypto industry is facing an uphill battle against cryptocurrency hackers, who continue to exploit the weakest link in crypto protocols - human vulnerabilities. Despite the ongoing efforts of cybersecurity professionals, CertiK co-founder Ronghui Gu warns that the situation will only worsen, predicting an "endless war" between good and evil.
The Evolving Nature of Cybersecurity Threats
According to Gu, the industry is engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with hackers, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The ever-evolving cybersecurity measures are forcing hackers to seek out new vulnerabilities, including loopholes in human psychology. "As long as there's a weak point or some vulnerabilities out there, sooner or later they will be discovered by these attackers," Gu said during an exclusive interview.
The Human Factor: A Weakest Link
Gu attributes the majority of security incidents to "operational risks" such as private key compromises. However, hackers are increasingly targeting weak links in human behavior, as evident in the recent wave of cryptocurrency phishing scams. These social engineering schemes involve attackers sharing fraudulent links to steal victims' sensitive information, such as private keys to cryptocurrency wallets.
A Look at the Numbers: $2.47 Billion Lost in Hacks and Exploits
The first half of 2025 has seen a staggering loss of over $2.47 billion due to hacks, scams, and exploits, representing a nearly 3% increase over the $2.4 billion stolen in all of 2024. The lion's share of the lost value was attributed to a single incident - the $1.4 billion Bybit hack on February 21, marking the largest cyberexploit in crypto history.
The Rise of Phishing Attacks: A New Frontier
Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, with attackers using social engineering tactics to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information. On August 6, an investor lost $3 million with a single wrong click after accidentally signing a malicious blockchain transaction that drained $3 million worth of USDt (USDT) from his wallet.
The Industry's Response: A Growing War
While the industry is taking steps to improve cybersecurity measures, Gu warns that both sides are becoming stronger. "I'm afraid that next year's [hacks] will still be at a billion-dollar level," he said. The cat-and-mouse game between good and evil shows no signs of slowing down, with CertiK predicting an endless war between crypto hackers and cybersecurity professionals.
The Future of Cybersecurity: A Human-Centric Approach
Gu emphasizes the importance of human behavior in preventing security incidents. Blockchain cybersecurity improvements will force hackers to target human psychology, making it essential for individuals to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions. By educating users about phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics, we can reduce the number of vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
A New Era of Cybersecurity: The Human Factor Will Play a Critical Role
As the crypto industry continues to evolve, it's clear that cybersecurity will become an increasingly important aspect of its development. By acknowledging the power of human behavior in shaping security threats, we can take proactive steps to prevent future hacks and protect our digital assets. The war between good and evil may never be won, but with awareness and education, we can reduce the damage caused by these attacks and create a safer digital landscape for all.