October Crypto Hacks Decline 86% to $18M, Signaling Possible Security Gains

• Garden Finance hack: Over $10 million lost in a solver breach on October 30.

• Typus Finance suffered $3.4 million from an oracle manipulation attack on October 15.

• Abracadabra lost $1.8 million due to a smart contract bug, marking its third exploit; total year-to-date losses exceed $1 billion per industry reports.

Discover how October 2025 crypto hacks dropped 85.7% to $18.18 million, signaling better security. Stay informed on DeFi vulnerabilities and rising user trust in digital assets—read now for key insights.

What Were the Major Crypto Hacks in October 2025?

Crypto hacks in October 2025 totaled $18.18 million across 15 incidents, marking a significant 85.7% decrease from September’s $127.06 million, as reported by PeckShield. This reduction underscores ongoing improvements in protocol security within the decentralized finance ecosystem. Major breaches included exploits at Garden Finance, Typus Finance, and Abracadabra, which accounted for the bulk of losses.

The cryptocurrency space has faced relentless attacks throughout 2025, with cumulative losses surpassing $1 billion by mid-year due to vulnerabilities in DeFi platforms and cross-chain bridges. PeckShield’s analysis reveals that October’s lower figures could indicate maturing defenses, such as enhanced smart contract audits and oracle protections. However, the industry remains vigilant, as sophisticated threat actors continue to evolve their tactics.

How Did the Garden Finance Hack Unfold?

The Garden Finance incident on October 30 involved a solver breach that led to over $10 million in stolen funds, primarily from the solver’s inventory. This isolated exploit significantly inflated October’s overall tally, but without it, monthly losses would have been around $7.18 million—the lowest since early 2023. Garden Finance’s team quickly acknowledged the breach and initiated recovery efforts, highlighting the platform’s Sui blockchain integration as a factor in the rapid response.

According to PeckShield, such solver vulnerabilities stem from insufficient inventory controls in yield optimization protocols. Earlier in 2025, similar DeFi attacks, like those on cross-chain aggregators, resulted in multi-million-dollar drains, emphasizing the need for layered security models. Industry experts recommend regular penetration testing to mitigate these risks, as evidenced by post-incident reviews from affected protocols.

What Caused the Typus Finance and Abracadabra Exploits?

Typus Finance, a Sui-based yield platform, lost $3.4 million on October 15 due to an oracle manipulation attack exploiting a flaw in its TLP contract. This led to a 35% drop in the native token’s value, underscoring the fragility of price feed mechanisms in decentralized systems. PeckShield’s investigation traced the attack to manipulated data inputs, a common vector in oracle-dependent protocols.

Around the same period, Abracadabra, a prominent DeFi lending platform, endured its third exploit, losing $1.8 million in MIM tokens from a smart contract bug that bypassed capital verification. This incident reflects persistent challenges in code auditing for lending pools. Data from PeckShield shows that smart contract flaws accounted for 60% of 2025’s DeFi losses, prompting calls for standardized verification processes across the ecosystem.

Despite these setbacks, the broader trend in October points to fewer high-impact breaches. PeckShield noted 15 total incidents, down from previous months’ spikes, suggesting that heightened awareness and tools like formal verification are yielding results. Still, the $18.18 million figure serves as a reminder that even reduced losses demand continuous investment in security infrastructure.

Are North Korean Hackers Still a Major Threat to Crypto in 2025?

Yes, North Korean-linked groups remain a significant danger, having stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency by early October 2025, per Elliptic’s blockchain analytics. These actors, often state-sponsored, target exchanges and DeFi protocols using advanced malware insertion techniques directly into blockchain nodes. Intelligence reports indicate portions of these funds support nuclear and missile programs, adding geopolitical dimensions to crypto security.

Elliptic’s data highlights a shift toward more covert operations, including social engineering and supply chain attacks. For instance, North Korean hackers have infiltrated developer environments to deploy malicious updates, evading traditional defenses. Cybersecurity firms like Chainalysis echo these findings, reporting a 40% rise in nation-state attributed thefts year-over-year. To counter this, protocols are adopting multi-signature wallets and AI-driven anomaly detection, but experts stress international cooperation is essential.

Analysts from the Blockchain Association warn against complacency, noting that while October’s hack volume fell, the sophistication of threats persists. PeckShield’s report aligns with this, observing that Lazarus Group variants continue probing for zero-day exploits. As the year progresses, enhanced regulatory frameworks, such as those proposed by the Financial Action Task Force, could bolster defenses against such organized cybercrime.

Why Is User Confidence in Crypto Rising Despite Hacks?

Public trust in cryptocurrency has surged, with a National Cryptocurrency Association survey revealing that 76% of respondents now view digital assets as equally or more reliable than traditional banks. This shift follows years of maturation in the sector, including institutional adoption and clearer regulatory signals in 2025. Despite hacks, improved recovery mechanisms and insurance products have mitigated perceived risks for everyday users.

The survey, conducted among 5,000 participants, attributes this confidence to blockchain’s transparency and the rise of secure wallets. However, voices of caution persist. Corey Frayer, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, compares crypto investments to NFL betting, emphasizing their speculative nature driven by market sentiment rather than intrinsic value. He advises treating them as high-risk allocations, limited to disposable income.

Amanda Fischer, COO of Better Markets, raises concerns over regulatory gaps, noting that even crypto ETFs through established brokerages lack oversight on underlying assets. She describes crypto as a “honeypot for hackers” due to its pseudonymous transfers and laundering potential. Fischer urges users to apply gambling-like budgeting: invest only what you can afford to lose, and diversify beyond unregulated assets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Were the Total Crypto Hack Losses in 2025 So Far?

As of October 2025, cryptocurrency hack losses have exceeded $1 billion across numerous incidents, according to aggregated data from PeckShield and Chainalysis. This includes major DeFi exploits and exchange breaches, with North Korean groups contributing significantly. The figure reflects a volatile year, though monthly declines like October’s offer cautious optimism for tighter security.

How Can Investors Protect Themselves from Crypto Hacks?

To safeguard against crypto hacks, use hardware wallets for storage, enable two-factor authentication on exchanges, and avoid unverified DeFi protocols. Conduct due diligence on smart contracts via tools like Etherscan, and stay updated on threats from sources such as PeckShield alerts. Diversifying holdings and purchasing insurance from reputable providers further reduces exposure in this evolving landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Decline in October Losses: Crypto hacks dropped 85.7% to $18.18 million, indicating progress in DeFi security protocols amid 15 incidents.
• Major Incidents Highlighted: Garden Finance ($10M+), Typus Finance ($3.4M), and Abracadabra ($1.8M) drove most losses, tied to solver, oracle, and contract flaws.
• Rising User Trust: 76% trust crypto like banks per surveys, but experts advise treating it as high-risk—invest wisely and monitor geopolitical threats.

Conclusion

October 2025 crypto hacks marked a welcome respite with losses plummeting to $18.18 million, a stark contrast to September’s figures and reflective of advancing cryptocurrency security practices. While incidents at platforms like Garden Finance and Typus Finance exposed lingering DeFi vulnerabilities, the overall trend and growing user confidence—76% equating crypto to traditional banking—signal resilience. As North Korean threats persist, the industry must prioritize robust audits and regulations. Looking ahead, sustained vigilance could usher in a more secure era for digital assets; investors should stay informed and adopt protective measures to navigate this dynamic space effectively.