A new study by Chainplay and Storible reveals that 83% of crypto investors have fallen prey to scams or hacks. The research surveyed 2,101 investors and analyzed 444 projects to uncover major security issues in the crypto space.Â
Study Finds 83% of Crypto Investors Victimized by Scams
Investors lost an average of $2,622 in each scam or hack incident during the study period. Social media impersonation scams made up 34% of the attacks, according to the report.Â
Exchange hacks and phishing attacks contributed 21% and 19%, respectively, to the scams encountered.
Financial Impact
Crypto exchange hacks have caused over $27 billion in total losses throughout recent years. Centralized exchanges, or CEXs, experienced financial losses that were twenty-seven times greater than those suffered by decentralized exchanges, known as DEXs.
The data shows that although DEXs are targeted more frequently, their financial damage remains lower than that of CEXs. Users of centralized exchanges lost more than $26.4 billion, while decentralized exchange users lost over $800 million during similar periods.
These figures reflect serious vulnerabilities in the financial structure of crypto exchanges and point to a pressing need for better security measures.
Attack Patterns and Tactics
Each crypto project is hit by an average of eight phishing links and seven fake Twitter accounts created by scammers. These fake accounts and phishing links aim to deceive potential investors and steal funds quickly.
Scammers use social media platforms with sophisticated planning and aggressive tactics to exploit investor trust. The study highlights that deceptive accounts and fraudulent websites are created easily to mislead and trick unsuspecting users.
Attackers plan their moves carefully and adapt quickly to changes in online security protocols.
Industry Concerns and Examples
The report shows that the scale of these scams has undermined investor confidence in digital assets. A high-profile hack on Bybit in 2025 resulted in a staggering $1.5 billion loss for the platform, which has sent shockwaves across the industry.Â
Experts point out that such massive breaches can damage the reputation of centralized exchanges permanently. Frequent attacks on decentralized platforms further test user trust and restrict wider adoption of digital assets.
Investors and industry regulators are now demanding enhanced security practices to minimize the risks associated with crypto transactions.
Market Response and Regulatory Calls
The alarming results of the study have led to calls for more stringent regulatory oversight in the crypto market. Lawmakers and security experts urge the industry to adopt better security measures and stricter financial controls.
Investors are now calling for more transparent practices and improved protocols to guard against fraudulent activities. Regulatory bodies are increasingly aware of the security vulnerabilities in both centralized and decentralized platforms.
They are working to design rules that will protect users and improve the overall trust in crypto markets.
The study underscores the critical need for improved security practices in the crypto industry. Investors must remain vigilant as scammers continue to devise new methods to exploit trust.