Points
- The crypto market faced $1.4 billion in theft during the first half of 2024.
- Centralized exchanges （CEXs） are the primary targets, with a 900% increase in losses.
- The majority of thefts stemmed from access control breaches like phishing attacks.
- DeFi protocols showed improved stability by swiftly freezing compromised contracts.
- Emerging vulnerabilities include cross-chain bridges and advanced tech threats.
The cryptocurrency market has experienced significant exploitation and security breaches in 2024, resulting in losses totaling $1.4 billion in the first half of the year. According to a report by on-chain security firm Cyvers, the losses represent a stark 100% increase from the previous year, with centralized exchanges （CEXs） being the primary targets.
The report indicates a staggering 900% rise in losses from CEXs, primarily due to access control breaches such as phishing attacks. In contrast, decentralized finance （DeFi） protocols have demonstrated improved stability by quickly freezing compromised smart contracts to protect users. Despite this, DeFi protocols are not immune to vulnerabilities, with losses from smart contract exploits totaling less than $70 million in the same period.
Cyvers highlighted that cross-chain bridges have emerged as new points of vulnerability, citing the recent $1.44 million exploit of XBridge in April. The report also noted advancements in artificial intelligence and quantum computing as potential future threats that could equip hackers with more sophisticated tools to bypass existing security measures.
On a positive note, recovery efforts have improved, with a 42% increase in recovered funds compared to the same period last year. However, a substantial 76% of stolen funds remain unrecovered, underscoring the ongoing challenges in securing the crypto ecosystem.
解説
- Centralized Exchanges Vulnerability: The significant increase in theft from CEXs highlights the critical need for robust access control measures and user education to prevent phishing and other cyber-attacks.
- DeFi Stability: The ability of DeFi protocols to quickly respond to breaches by freezing compromised contracts showcases the advantages of decentralized systems in mitigating damage and protecting user funds.
- Emerging Threats: New vulnerabilities in cross-chain bridges and advancements in technology such as AI and quantum computing pose significant risks, requiring continuous innovation in security measures.
- Recovery Efforts: While the increase in recovered funds is encouraging, the high percentage of unrecovered assets emphasizes the need for enhanced tracking and recovery mechanisms in the crypto industry.