The Daily Hodl
  • FEATURES
    • News
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Ripple and XRP
    • Altcoins
    • Trading
    • NFTs
    • Blockchain
    • Futuremash
    • Regulators
    • Scams
    • Crypto 101
  • HODLX
    • Latest Stories
    • FAQ
    • Submit Guest Post
  • INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • Latest
    • Press Releases
    • ChainWire
    • Sponsored Posts
    • Submit Your Content
  • CRYPTO MARKETS
    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Binance Coin (BNB)
  • BEGINNERS
    • What Is Bitcoin?
    • What Is Blockchain?
    • What Does Hodl Mean?
    • How to Pay Your Bills with Bitcoin
    • Best Bitcoin FAQs
    • Example of Bitcoin’s Purpose
    • Cryptocurrency Has Multiple Meanings
    • Authenticator Alert – Securing Your Crypto
  • SUBMIT
    • Guest Post
    • Press Release
    • Sponsored Post
    • Advertise
  • EMAIL ALERTS
  • DAILY HODL MIX
No Result
View All Result
  • FEATURES
    • News
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Ripple and XRP
    • Altcoins
    • Trading
    • NFTs
    • Blockchain
    • Futuremash
    • Regulators
    • Scams
    • Crypto 101
  • HODLX
    • Latest Stories
    • FAQ
    • Submit Guest Post
  • INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • Latest
    • Press Releases
    • ChainWire
    • Sponsored Posts
    • Submit Your Content
  • CRYPTO MARKETS
    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Binance Coin (BNB)
  • BEGINNERS
    • What Is Bitcoin?
    • What Is Blockchain?
    • What Does Hodl Mean?
    • How to Pay Your Bills with Bitcoin
    • Best Bitcoin FAQs
    • Example of Bitcoin’s Purpose
    • Cryptocurrency Has Multiple Meanings
    • Authenticator Alert – Securing Your Crypto
  • SUBMIT
    • Guest Post
    • Press Release
    • Sponsored Post
    • Advertise
  • EMAIL ALERTS
  • DAILY HODL MIX
No Result
View All Result
The Daily Hodl
No Result
View All Result

Bitcoin Theft on the Rise Despite 14-Month Long Crypto Bear Market

by Rafal Szymanski
March 7, 2019
in HodlX
HodlX Guest Post  Submit Your Post
 

On the one hand, Bitcoin continues to suffer its longest-running bear market, 414 days and counting at time of writing. However, reports indicate that more cryptocurrencies were stolen in 2018 than in previous years.

Why is cryptocurrency theft on the increase when the prices are significantly lower than they were after the all-time highs at the end of 2017? Well, the answer could lie in the notion that centralized cybercrime syndicates are responsible for a large portion of such thefts, especially the ones concerning exchange platforms.

Almost $2 Billion Stolen in 2018

A January 2019 report published by CipherTrace, a blockchain analysis firm, revealed that cybercriminals stole about $1.7 billion in cryptocurrencies throughout 2017. According to the report, crypto theft went up by 400% from the figures recorded in 2017.

When the bear market struck, and Ether prices fell, many ICO projects suffered the consequences. With Ethereum being the de facto platform of choice for many of these projects, liquidity problems soon became a nagging issue.

The Menlo-Park based CipherTrace reports that investors lost close to $750 million to exit scams in 2018. Last year also saw the emergence of criminal charges being brought against principal actors associated with scam ICOs.

Inside Jobs on the Rise

With the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies falling by more than 80%, it appears odd that more of it is being stolen. Not only is crypto theft on the rise, but experts say more cybercriminals are developing more elaborate means of achieving their aims.

One such growing threat is the emergence of carefully orchestrated inside jobs leading to the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition to hackers gaining unauthorized entry to crypto wallets, people working in cryptocurrency firms are allegedly collaborating to exploit investors.

QuadrigaCX, a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange, is currently in the news after the death of its CEO and the inability of the company to access close to $145 million held in cold storage. However, feelers from cryptocurrency forensic specialists say that the platform had no cold storage and that funds are domiciled in online exchange platforms.

Centralized Bitcoin Hacking Cartels

A 2019 report by Chainalysis revealed another dimension to the incessant cryptocurrency hacking incidents. According to the report, about 60% of all such attacks are the work of two cybercrime cartels.

If the report is accurate, then those exchange hacks that leave hundreds of millions of dollars stolen are organized crimes. If so, it might explain why there is still an allure for such nefarious activities even in a bear market.

According to Chainalysis, the two cartels which the report designated as “Alpha and Beta” have two different motives for their attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges. The Alpha syndicate, supposedly, are anarchists, with the attacks merely serving as a prelude to more sinister goals. The Beta team, on the other hand, simply wants to make money.

 
Check Latest Headlines on HodlX


Follow Us on Twitter Facebook Telegram

Check out the Latest Industry Announcements
 

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any loses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.
Submit a Press Release

Industry Announcements

  • Binance Expands AI-Powered NFT Generator Bicasso
    March 28, 2023
  • Open-Source Blockchain D-Ecosystem Raises $6 Million Ahead of IDO on March 29, 2023
    March 27, 2023
  • Bitget Becomes the First Centralized Exchange To Offer Financial Transparency Through Space and Time
    March 27, 2023
  • OKX Launches Turkish Lira Deposits and Withdrawals
    March 27, 2023
  • Cardano’s Top NFT Marketplace JPG.Store Announces Plans To Empower More Artists Globally
    March 27, 2023
  • Narwhal Finance Secures $1 Million in Seed Funding Led by Animoca Ventures
    March 24, 2023
  • Sports Prediction App Pooky Launches Full Version of Its Play-and-Earn Game
    March 23, 2023
Submit a Guest Post
ADVERTISEMENT
Bitcoin
$28,316.59
$28,316.59
2%
Ethereum
$1,802.53
$1,802.53
3.3%
Cardano
$0.380868
$0.380868
13.46%
XRP
$0.460298
$0.460298
19.52%
Dogecoin
$0.076029
$0.076029
5.81%

Spotlight

  • US Prosecutors Slam Terra (LUNA) Founder Do Kwon With Eight Counts of Fraud for 2022 Crypto Collapse
    March 26, 2023
  • Billionaire Tim Draper Says Bitcoin (BTC) a Hedge Against Potential Domino Bank Run Crisis
    March 27, 2023
  • Veteran Trader Tone Vays Says Bitcoin Breakout Incoming, Forecasts Extended Rallies for Top Crypto Asset
    March 27, 2023
  • Shiba Inu’s Shibarium Aims To Process Transactions in Seconds for Less Than Pennies: New Public Documentation
    March 27, 2023
NBX Warsaw Summit Banner
DON'T MISS A BEAT
Crypto headlines delivered daily
to your inbox
BTC, ETH, XRP news alert options
By joining The Daily Hodl news list you agree to our
Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Featured Image: Shutterstock/Billion Photos

Cryptocurrency news and analysis, covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, XRP, altcoins and blockchain technology

Categories

Bitcoin • Ethereum • Trading •
Ripple and XRP • Altcoins •
Blockchain • Regulators •
Scams • Crypto101 • HodlX •
Futuremash •
Industry Announcements

ABOUT US | EDITORIAL POLICY | PRIVACY POLICY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS | CONTACT | ADVERTISE

JOIN US ON TELEGRAM

JOIN US ON TWITTER

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

COPYRIGHT © 2017-2023 THE DAILY HODL

No Result
View All Result
  • FEATURES
    • News
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Ripple and XRP
    • Altcoins
    • Trading
    • NFTs
    • Blockchain
    • Futuremash
    • Regulators
    • Scams
    • Crypto 101
  • HODLX
    • Latest Stories
    • FAQ
    • Submit Guest Post
  • INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • Latest
    • Press Releases
    • ChainWire
    • Sponsored Posts
    • Submit Your Content
  • CRYPTO MARKETS
    • Bitcoin (BTC)
    • Ethereum (ETH)
    • Binance Coin (BNB)
  • BEGINNERS
    • What Is Bitcoin?
    • What Is Blockchain?
    • What Does Hodl Mean?
    • How to Pay Your Bills with Bitcoin
    • Best Bitcoin FAQs
    • Example of Bitcoin’s Purpose
    • Cryptocurrency Has Multiple Meanings
    • Authenticator Alert – Securing Your Crypto
  • SUBMIT
    • Guest Post
    • Press Release
    • Sponsored Post
    • Advertise
  • EMAIL ALERTS
  • DAILY HODL MIX

© 2023 The Daily Hodl