Crypto projects are set to unlock about $4.5 billion in vested tokens in September, according to data tracker Tokenomist.
Tokenomist data shows that about $1.17 billion will come from cliff unlocks, while $3.36 billion will be released through linear unlocks. About $4.5 billion in tokens will become available to investors, project teams and other stakeholders as vesting agreements expire.
Cliff unlocks are typically larger, one-time token releases that happen at the end of a specified lockup period. This often affects the market more due to supply shocks. On the other hand, linear unlocks distribute tokens over time, which helps smooth out the impact on the supply.
Projects like Sui (SUI), Fasttoken (FTN), Arbitrum (ARB) and Aptos (APT) are among the biggest crypto projects unlocking millions in vested tokens in September.
Crypto projects unlocking digital assets in September. Source: Tokenomist
Crypto projects to unlock vested tokens in September
Sui leads September’s token unlocks with over $153 million in tokens scheduled to be released. Tokenomist data shows that the network has only released 35.1% of its supply, which means a significant portion remains locked.
FTN comes second with $90 million in tokens to be added to the supply. Unlike Sui, FTN has already released over 96% of its tokens. This means the unlock represents a smaller relative increase in supply.
Aptos follows with almost $50 million in tokens set to be unlocked, while Arbitrum trails closely with about $48 million scheduled for release next month.
Other notable unlocks include Starknet, releasing $16.85 million in tokens and Sei, which will add about $16.49 million to its supply. Projects like ZK and Immutable will release $10.7 million and $13.4 million, respectively.
Market turns from unlock anxiety into a more nuanced perspective
Vincent Kadar, the CEO of security token platform Polymath, previously told Cointelegraph that while investors used to get unlock anxiety from token unlocks, the conversation has shifted.
Kadar said sophisticated investors evaluate the economics, adoption levels, governance transparency and incentives aligning with long-term value. He said the market is focusing less on short-term impact and is giving more attention to fundamentals.
Kadar said that the shift is constructive for the industry overall, adding that the conversation is changing as blockchain projects grow and connect with public markets.
The Trump administration is considering at least 11 candidates to replace Jerome Powell when his term as Federal Reserve chair expires in May. At least three of them have taken positive stances toward crypto.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News on Wednesday that there are 11 “very strong candidates” for Fed chair, which he’ll begin to vet and shortlist starting next month.
The list of candidates, as CNBC reported on Aug. 13, citing two administration officials, includes Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, former St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Fed Governor Chris Waller, Fed Vice Supervision Chair Michelle Bowman and former Fed Governor Larry Lindsey.
The list also includes Bush administration economic adviser Marc Sumerlin, investment bank Jefferies chief market strategist David Zervos and BlackRock’s chief investment officer for global fixed income Rick Rieder.
The Federal Reserve sets US interest rates, which affect how the market invests. Lower interest rates increase liquidity and usually spur bets on volatile, risky assets like crypto, while interest rate hikes typically see investors sell riskier bets.
Rieder once said Bitcoin is “here to stay”
BlackRock’s Rieder has made positive comments about crypto in the past.
He told The Wall Street Journal in early 2024 that Bitcoin could likely “be a big part of the asset allocation framework” and that “over time people become more and more comfortable with it.”
Rieder told CNBC in November 2020 that he thought crypto and Bitcoin were “here to stay” and that “the receptivity — particularly millennials’ receptivity — of technology and cryptocurrency is real.”
BlackRock has the largest Bitcoin and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds on the market.
Feds Waller, Bowman make crypto-friendly moves
The Fed’s Waller and Bowman, reportedly also in the running, have both recently signalled a friendly approach to crypto.
Bowman, the Fed’s top regulatory official, said on Aug. 20 that the central bank’s staff should be allowed to invest a small amount in crypto to help them understand the technology, adding it would help with a “working understanding of the underlying functionality.”
Fed Governor Waller said a day later that the banking sector had “nothing to be afraid of” about crypto payments operating outside the traditional banking system, as it was “simply new technology to transfer objects and record transactions.”
In comparison, Powell has addressed crypto a handful of times and has usually urged a cautious approach. He said in June that crypto had become more mainstream and expected banks to increase engagement with the sector.
In December, he said Bitcoin was more of a competitor for gold than it was the US dollar.
Honorable mention: Jefferies works with crypto
Meanwhile, Jefferies, the investment bank for which Zervos directs strategy, is involved in crypto-tied entities.
The bank has backed the recent public debuts of trading platform eToro, stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Group, crypto exchange Bullish and crypto-based lender Figure Technology Solutions.
It also bet early on the Bitcoin (BTC) buying ambitions of Michael Saylor’s Strategy, and has reportedly had a senior banker dedicated exclusively to crypto for at least five years.
Powell’s tenure as chair ends in May, but his 14-year term on the Fed board ends in early 2028. His highly anticipated speech on Friday raised hopes of an interest rate cut, with financial markets now expecting the Fed to cut rates when it again meets in mid-September.
Japanese investment company Metaplanet approved a plan to raise 180.3 billion yen ($1.2 billion) through an overseas share issuance, with almost $835 million set aside for Bitcoin purchases.
According to a Wednesday filing, the company plans to issue up to 555 million new shares, which could increase its total outstanding stock from 722 million to about 1.27 billion shares. The issue price will be determined Sept. 9-11, with payments scheduled to settle shortly after.
Metaplanet said the bulk of the funds will go toward acquiring additional Bitcoin (BTC), adding to its existing treasury reserves of 18,991 BTC (valued at around $2.1 billion). The company said the strategy is designed to protect against Japan’s weak yen, mitigate inflation risks and enhance corporate value.
A further $440 million will be directed into the firm’s “Bitcoin Income Business,” which generates revenue by selling covered call options on its BTC holdings. The company said the program is already producing profit and will be expanded with the new funds.
The move is the latest step in Metaplanet’s aggressive Bitcoin-focused strategy, which includes the “21 Million Plan” announced in April and the “555 Million Plan” revealed in June. The company has set a target of holding more than 210,000 BTC by 2027, representing over 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply.
The offering will be conducted through overseas placements to institutional investors. The filing said that the issuance was not registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, and will not be publicly offered in the United States.
“We announced an international offering of new shares earlier today,” Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich wrote on X. “Due to legal restrictions, we cannot comment on the offering beyond what is in the release while the offering in ongoing,” he added.
Metaplanet CEO announces new share offering. Source: Simon Gerovich
Metaplanet has been upgraded from a small-cap to a mid-cap stock in FTSE Russell’s September 2025 Semi-Annual Review, earning inclusion in the FTSE Japan Index. The move follows the company’s strong Q2 performance.
As a result, Metaplanet will also be automatically added to the FTSE All-World Index, which features the largest publicly traded companies by market capitalization across different regions. This will place it alongside major global players.
BTC price prediction shows potential rally to $118,000 if Bitcoin breaks above critical $116,200 resistance, with bearish scenario targeting $108,000 support levels.
BTC Price Prediction Summary
• BTC short-term target (1 week): $116,200-$118,000 (+5-6% upside potential)
• Bitcoin medium-term forecast (1 month): $108,000-$122,000 trading range
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $116,200 (38.2% Fibonacci resistance)
• Critical support if bearish: $108,666 (immediate) / $108,324 (strong support)
Recent Bitcoin Price Predictions from Analysts
Recent Bitcoin forecast data from CoinEdition reveals a cautious but optimistic outlook for BTC. The latest BTC price prediction from August 24th identified $116,200 as the critical resistance level, coinciding with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement. This analysis showed Bitcoin successfully bouncing from the $112,000 support zone, demonstrating resilience in the current market structure.
The consensus among analysts points to a neutral market sentiment with balanced liquidity conditions. The Money Flow Index reading of 57 and RSI levels between 42-45 on shorter timeframes suggest the market is neither oversold nor overbought, creating conditions for a potential breakout in either direction.
Comparing these predictions with current technical data, Bitcoin is now trading at $110,994, slightly below the predicted resistance zones but maintaining its position above the critical $110,800 support level identified in earlier forecasts.
BTC Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Potential Breakout
The current Bitcoin technical analysis reveals a compressed trading environment that typically precedes significant price movements. With BTC trading at $110,994, the cryptocurrency sits approximately 10% below its 52-week high of $123,306, indicating room for upward movement if bullish momentum emerges.
The RSI reading of 41.13 places Bitcoin in neutral territory, suggesting neither oversold nor overbought conditions. This positioning often precedes trend continuation moves. However, the MACD histogram at -714.0994 shows bearish momentum, creating a conflicting signal that demands careful analysis.
Bitcoin’s position relative to the Bollinger Bands (%B at 0.1158) indicates the cryptocurrency is trading near the lower band support, historically a zone where buying interest emerges. The current setup mirrors previous consolidation phases that preceded significant price movements.
Volume analysis from Binance shows $1.83 billion in 24-hour trading activity, providing adequate liquidity for institutional participation. The Average True Range of $3,149 suggests normal volatility levels, neither compressed nor extended.
Bitcoin Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for BTC
The primary BTC price target in a bullish scenario focuses on the $116,200 resistance level, which has been consistently identified in recent analyst predictions. A decisive break above this level would likely trigger momentum toward $118,000, representing a 6.3% upside from current levels.
The bullish case strengthens if Bitcoin can reclaim the 20-day SMA at $115,979, which would signal a shift in short-term sentiment. Beyond $118,000, the next significant resistance appears at $122,465 (upper Bollinger Band), offering a potential 10.4% gain.
Technical requirements for the bullish scenario include RSI moving above 50, MACD histogram turning positive, and sustained volume above the current daily average. The 200-day SMA at $100,995 provides strong foundational support for any upward move.
Bearish Risk for Bitcoin
The bearish scenario for this Bitcoin forecast involves a breakdown below the immediate support at $108,666. Such a move would likely target the strong support zone at $108,324, representing a 2.4% downside risk from current levels.
A more severe bearish outcome could see Bitcoin test the psychological $100,000 level, which aligns closely with the 200-day SMA. This scenario would require sustained selling pressure and broader market deterioration.
Risk factors include continued MACD divergence, RSI failing to hold above 40, and volume declining during any potential rallies. External factors such as regulatory developments or macroeconomic shifts could accelerate bearish scenarios.
Should You Buy BTC Now? Entry Strategy
Based on the current Bitcoin technical analysis, a layered entry approach offers the best risk-adjusted opportunity. For aggressive traders, the current price level around $110,994 provides an entry point with a stop-loss at $108,324, offering a favorable risk-reward ratio.
Conservative investors should wait for a confirmed break above $112,000 with volume confirmation before initiating positions. This approach reduces downside risk while still capturing the majority of the predicted upward move toward the BTC price target of $116,200.
Position sizing should remain conservative given the conflicting technical signals. A 2-3% portfolio allocation allows for meaningful exposure while managing downside risk. Scale-in strategies work well in the current environment, adding to positions on any dips toward $109,000-$110,000.
Stop-loss levels should be placed below $108,000 for new positions, representing a clear break of technical support levels. Profit-taking should begin near $115,500, with full exit strategies implemented if BTC reaches $118,000.
BTC Price Prediction Conclusion
The current BTC price prediction suggests a cautiously optimistic outlook with a medium confidence level. Bitcoin appears positioned for a test of the critical $116,200 resistance level within the next 7-10 days, with successful penetration likely triggering a move toward $118,000.
Key indicators to monitor include RSI momentum above 45, MACD histogram improvement, and sustained trading volume above $1.5 billion daily. Failure to break $116,200 resistance could result in consolidation between $108,000-$115,000 for several weeks.
The timeline for this Bitcoin forecast spans 2-4 weeks, with the initial resistance test expected within the first week. Traders should remain flexible as the cryptocurrency market’s inherent volatility can accelerate or delay these predictions. The overall bullish bias remains intact as long as Bitcoin maintains support above $108,000, making any dips toward this level potential buying opportunities for those looking to buy or sell BTC based on technical merit.
Coinbase layer-2 network Base took the third spot in non-fungible token (NFT) trading volume after a 70% surge in the last 30 days.
Decentralized application data aggregator DappRadar showed that Base’s NFT volume reached $47.67 million, increasing by 70% over the past month. The increase pushed the network ahead of many competitors in the NFT space, including Immutable zkEVM and Solana, which are ranked fourth and fifth by 30-day volume.
Collections like Get Based, DX Terminal and Based Style collectively recorded about $25 million in NFT trading volume, driving the surge in digital collectible trading activity on the network.
In addition to NFT volume, the data showed that Base is becoming one of the busiest ecosystems in overall activity. In the last 30 days, the network processed over 27 million transactions and had more than $16 billion in decentralized application (DApp) volume, which is the total token transfers across DApps within the network.
Top blockchains by 30-day NFT volumes. Source: DappRadar
Ethereum recorded over $400 million in NFT trading volume
While Base may be on the rise, Ethereum remains the most dominant network for NFTs. DappRadar data showed that in the last 30 days, Ethereum recorded $408 million in trading volume.
CryptoPunks, Pudgy Penguins, Moonbirds, the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Lil Pudgys led NFT trading activity on Ethereum, collectively recording over $200 million in trading volume.
This happened despite a recent downturn in floor prices across blue-chip collections. On Tuesday, DefiLlama data showed that NFT floor prices for top collections based on Ethereum saw a drop. Pudgy Penguins, BAYC and Doodles all saw double-digit percentage declines.
CryptoPunks remained steady with less than a 2% drop in floor prices over the same time period.
Polygon remained the second-largest network by 30-day trading volume. The chain had $62.29 million in volume, up 15% in the last 30 days.
Courtyard NFTs, which represent tokenized versions of real-world assets (RWAs) like trading cards, took up a majority of Polygon’s NFT volumes. Courtyard NFTs had $57.65 million, up 21% in the last 30 days.
Bitcoin price needs to hold above $110,000 to avoid further losses.
The Taker-Buy-Sell-Ratio is down to levels last seen in November 2021, when BTC price reached its cycle peak.
Bitcoin’s (BTC) price saw modest gains on Wednesday, rising 0.9% over 24 hours to trade at around $111,000.
Several analysts said the next most crucial support was $110,000, and the price must hold it to avoid a deeper correction.
“BTC is at a make-or-break level,” said Swissblock in a Wednesday post on X.
The private wealth manager asserted that Bitcoin’s “lifeline support” sits at $110,000, a level bulls must hold to ensure a bullish trend continues.
“BTC has proven resilience above $100K, but survival above $110K will decide if the trend continues bullish or tips into structural weakness.”
BTC/USD chart. Source: Swissblock
Bitcoin analyst AlphaBTC shared a chart showing that the area between $110,000 and $112,000 was key for Bitcoin.
According to the analyst, a four-hour candlestick close above this area was required for the BTC price high to rebound, or a drop to $105,000 is likely.
“Until we get a four-hour close above $112K, I still feel $105K is in play, so I will be watching that level closely.”
This drawdown has kept investors in the back seat, “reflecting a perception that the market may be overextended,” according to CryptoQuant analyst Gaah.
The Bitcoin Taker-Buy-Sell-Ratio, a metric gauging market sentiment, was at -0.945. When the metric dips below 1, it indicates that bears are in control of the market, and when the metric is above 1, the bulls are in control.
Currently, the indicator’s value is below its historical average, reflecting a scenario where sales have consistently outpaced buying.
“This signals that, despite Bitcoin’s recent appreciation, the market is showing pessimism and caution,” Gaah said in a Tuesday Quicktake analysis.
The last time similar levels were observed was at the peak of November 2021, when Bitcoin reached the $69,000 range before entering a prolonged period of correction, the analyst said, adding:
“Taker Buy Sell Ratio reinforces that the market is in a zone of attention: growing selling pressure exposes weaknesses in the bullish price structure that should not be ignored!”
Bitcoin taker buy-sell ratio. Source: CryptoQuant
Meanwhile, declining network activity, evidenced by a 13% drop in the monthly average of change-adjusted transfer volume to $23.2 billion from $26.7 billion, reinforced the bearish case for Bitcoin, per Glassnode.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
AAVE price prediction shows bullish momentum with analysts targeting $370-$400 if key resistance at $325-$340 breaks. Current technical setup supports upside potential.
With AAVE trading at $330.14 and showing strong bullish momentum, multiple analysts are converging on significant upside targets for the decentralized lending protocol token. This AAVE price prediction analysis examines the technical setup and analyst forecasts pointing toward a potential breakout above critical resistance levels.
AAVE Price Prediction Summary
• AAVE short-term target (1 week): $340-$350 (+3-6%) • Aave medium-term forecast (1 month): $370-$400 range (+12-21%) • Key level to break for bullish continuation: $340 resistance zone • Critical support if bearish: $275-$285 range
Recent Aave Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest AAVE price prediction data reveals a predominantly bullish consensus among cryptocurrency analysts. CoinCodex leads with the most aggressive forecast, targeting $382.08 by August 27, 2025, citing 97% of technical indicators flashing positive signals and a robust 19.25% gain over the past 30 days.
CoinDCX provides the most compelling Aave forecast, projecting a $370-$400 AAVE price target by August 31, 2025, contingent on breaking the critical $325-$340 resistance zone with solid volume. This prediction aligns with AAVE’s fundamental strength, including crossing $3 trillion in lifetime deposits and total value locked (TVL) surpassing $65 billion.
However, not all predictions are uniformly bullish. Price Forecast Bot offers a contrarian view with a more conservative target of $268.87 within one month, suggesting potential short-term weakness. This divergence creates an interesting dynamic where the majority of analysts maintain bullish AAVE price predictions while acknowledging downside risks.
AAVE Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Bullish Breakout
The current Aave technical analysis reveals a compelling setup for continued upside momentum. AAVE is trading well above all major moving averages, with the price at $330.14 sitting 39.9% above the 200-day SMA at $236.05. This positioning indicates strong long-term bullish trend continuation.
The MACD histogram reading of 2.8375 confirms bullish momentum, while the RSI at 55.68 provides room for further upside without entering overbought territory. Within the Bollinger Bands framework, AAVE’s position at 0.6946 suggests the token is approaching the upper band at $356.58, indicating potential for a squeeze higher.
Volume analysis from Binance shows healthy $59.1 million in 24-hour trading volume, providing sufficient liquidity for any potential breakout move. The daily ATR of $23.00 indicates normal volatility levels, suggesting any move above resistance could see sustained momentum.
Aave Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for AAVE
The primary bullish scenario hinges on AAVE breaking above the $340 resistance level with conviction. Should this occur, the immediate AAVE price target sits at $370, representing a 12% gain from current levels. A continuation beyond this level opens the door to the $400 target, aligning with CoinDCX’s aggressive Aave forecast.
Technical support for this bullish case includes the strong positioning above all moving averages, positive MACD momentum, and the token trading near its 52-week high of $383.53. The fundamental backdrop of record TVL and deposit milestones provides additional catalyst potential for sustained buying pressure.
Bearish Risk for Aave
The bearish scenario would materialize if AAVE fails to hold the $325 pivot level and breaks below the immediate support at $275.76. This would align with Price Forecast Bot’s more pessimistic prediction of $268.87, representing a 19% decline from current levels.
Key risk factors include potential broader cryptocurrency market weakness, regulatory concerns affecting DeFi protocols, or profit-taking pressure as AAVE approaches its previous highs. The RSI approaching neutral territory leaves room for bearish momentum if selling pressure intensifies.
Should You Buy AAVE Now? Entry Strategy
For those considering whether to buy or sell AAVE, the current technical setup favors a strategic entry approach. The optimal entry point appears to be on any pullback toward the $320-$325 range, providing a favorable risk-reward ratio with support from the 7-day SMA at $333.80.
Risk management should include a stop-loss below $305, representing the 20-day SMA support level. This provides approximately 8% downside protection while maintaining upside exposure to the $370-$400 targets. Position sizing should remain conservative given the proximity to resistance levels.
For aggressive traders, a breakout entry above $340 with volume confirmation could target the $370 level with a tighter stop at $330. This approach capitalizes on momentum while limiting downside exposure if the breakout fails.
AAVE Price Prediction Conclusion
The weight of evidence supports a bullish AAVE price prediction over the next month, with medium confidence in reaching the $370-$400 range by late August 2025. The combination of strong technical momentum, analyst consensus, and fundamental protocol strength creates a compelling case for continued upside.
Key indicators to monitor include volume confirmation on any break above $340, RSI behavior near resistance levels, and broader DeFi sector performance. Should AAVE fail to break resistance by August 31st, a reassessment toward more conservative targets near $285-$300 would be warranted.
The timeline for this prediction centers on the next 7-10 days for the initial breakout attempt, with the full move to $370-$400 potentially completing by month-end. This Aave forecast carries medium-to-high confidence given the current technical alignment and fundamental protocol momentum.
Despite the crypto industry’s ongoing cybersecurity efforts, protocols are engaged in an endless war with cryptocurrency hackers, who continue to attack the weakest link in crypto protocols, which is often a human behavioral element.
The industry is engaged in unfair warfare with bad actors, who only need a single point of vulnerability to exploit a protocol, according to Ronghui Gu, professor of computer science at Columbia University and the co-founder of blockchain security platform CertiK.
“As long as there’s a weak point or some vulnerabilities out there, sooner or later they will be discovered by these attackers,” said Gu, speaking during Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction daily live X spaces show, adding:
“So it’s an endless war.”
“But I’m afraid that next year’s [hacks] will still be at a billion-dollar level,” said Gu, adding that both cybersecurity efforts and cybercriminals are becoming stronger. Still, attackers only need to find a single bug in the millions of lines of code audited daily by CertiK.
Losses to crypto hacks and exploits spiked to $2.47 billion in the first half of 2025, despite declining hacks in the second quarter. Over $800 million was lost across 144 incidents in Q2, a 52% decrease in value lost compared to the previous quarter, with 59 fewer hacking incidents, CertiK said in a report on Tuesday.
The first half of 2025 has seen more than $2.47 billion in losses 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, a $1.4 billion Bybit hack on Feb. 21, marking the largest cyberexploit in crypto history.
Blockchain cybersecurity improvements will force hackers to target human behavior
The industry’s ever-evolving cybersecurity measures are forcing hackers to look for new vulnerabilities to exploit, including loopholes in human psychology, according to CertiK’s Gu, who explained:
“Let’s say that your protocol or layer 1 blockchain becomes more secure. Then they may target human beings behind it. The people who have the private key and so on.”
During 2024, about half of the crypto industry’s security incidents were caused by “operational risks” such as private key compromises, Gu added.
Hackers are increasingly targeting weak links in human behaviour, as highlighted by this year’s renewed wave of cryptocurrency phishing scams, which are social engineering schemes in which attackers share fraudulent links to steal victims’ sensitive information, such as private keys to cryptocurrency wallets.
On Aug. 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.
Like most investors, the victim likely validated the wallet address by only matching the first and last few characters before transferring the $3 million to the malicious actor. The difference would have been noticeable in the middle characters, often hidden on platforms to improve visual appeal.
Another victim lost over $900,000 worth of digital assets to a sophisticated phishing attack on Aug. 3, 458 days after unknowingly signing a malicious approval transaction for a wallet-draining scam, Cointelegraph reported.
Despite the crypto industry’s ongoing cybersecurity efforts, protocols are engaged in an endless war with cryptocurrency hackers, who continue to attack the weakest link in crypto protocols, which is often a human behavioral element.
The industry is engaged in unfair warfare with bad actors, who only need a single point of vulnerability to exploit a protocol, according to Ronghui Gu, professor of computer science at Columbia University and the co-founder of blockchain security platform CertiK.
“As long as there’s a weak point or some vulnerabilities out there, sooner or later they will be discovered by these attackers,” said Gu, speaking during Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction daily live X spaces show, adding:
“So it’s an endless war.”
“But I’m afraid that next year’s [hacks] will still be at a billion-dollar level,” said Gu, adding that both cybersecurity efforts and cybercriminals are becoming stronger. Still, attackers only need to find a single bug in the millions of lines of code audited daily by CertiK.
Losses to crypto hacks and exploits spiked to $2.47 billion in the first half of 2025, despite declining hacks in the second quarter. Over $800 million was lost across 144 incidents in Q2, a 52% decrease in value lost compared to the previous quarter, with 59 fewer hacking incidents, CertiK said in a report on Tuesday.
The first half of 2025 has seen more than $2.47 billion in losses 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, a $1.4 billion Bybit hack on Feb. 21, marking the largest cyberexploit in crypto history.
Blockchain cybersecurity improvements will force hackers to target human behavior
The industry’s ever-evolving cybersecurity measures are forcing hackers to look for new vulnerabilities to exploit, including loopholes in human psychology, according to CertiK’s Gu, who explained:
“Let’s say that your protocol or layer 1 blockchain becomes more secure. Then they may target human beings behind it. The people who have the private key and so on.”
During 2024, about half of the crypto industry’s security incidents were caused by “operational risks” such as private key compromises, Gu added.
Hackers are increasingly targeting weak links in human behaviour, as highlighted by this year’s renewed wave of cryptocurrency phishing scams, which are social engineering schemes in which attackers share fraudulent links to steal victims’ sensitive information, such as private keys to cryptocurrency wallets.
On Aug. 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.
Like most investors, the victim likely validated the wallet address by only matching the first and last few characters before transferring the $3 million to the malicious actor. The difference would have been noticeable in the middle characters, often hidden on platforms to improve visual appeal.
Another victim lost over $900,000 worth of digital assets to a sophisticated phishing attack on Aug. 3, 458 days after unknowingly signing a malicious approval transaction for a wallet-draining scam, Cointelegraph reported.
Crypto exchange Bitpanda turned away from London’s public markets, citing weak liquidity on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as a key factor in its decision.
Eric Demuth, co-founder of the Vienna-based crypto exchange, told the Financial Times that while Bitpanda was actively evaluating a public listing, “it will not be in London.” Instead, the firm is weighing potential listings in Frankfurt or New York, though no timeline has been set.
“Currently, liquidity-wise, the LSE is not doing too well,” Demuth told the FT. “I hope that it gets better, but over the next few years, I think the LSE is struggling a bit.”
Demuth noted that several companies, including British fintech Wise, have already shifted or are in the process of moving their primary listings abroad to attract more investors.
Cointelegraph reached out to Bitpanda for comment, but had not received a response before publication.
The UK is facing one of its steepest IPO droughts in decades. According to market data cited by the FT, the amount raised from London listings in the first half of the year dropped to a 30-year low, sparking concerns over its ability to compete with other global financial centers.
The UK has also been under fire for its crypto policy. In June, analysts at the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), an independent think tank, argued that the UK had wasted its early-mover advantage in distributed ledger finance.
Last month, Coinbase released a satirical video mocking the state of the UK economy, contrasting upbeat lyrics about “everything being fine” with bleak images of poverty, inflation, debt and crumbling infrastructure.
Coinbase releases video taking aim at the UK. Source: Coinbase
Bitpanda’s rejection of London comes as crypto firms increasingly look to the US for capital market activity. Earlier this month, Gemini Space Station, the crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, filed with the SEC to list its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker GEMI.
