August Crypto Hacks Top $163 Million as Bitcoin Theft Suggests Growing Risk to High-Value Targets, Kronos CEO Says

• Major loss drivers: centralized hot-wallet breaches and social engineering.

• 16 attacks in August 2025 resulted in ~$163 million stolen, a 15% rise from July.

• High-value incidents: one 783 BTC social-engineering theft (~$91M) and Btcturk hot-wallet loss (~$50M).

August crypto hacks: $163M stolen in 16 attacks, high-value targets hit—read protection steps and expert guidance from COINOTAG.

Kronos Research CEO Hank Huang told Cointelegraph that crypto exploits often rise alongside crypto prices as attackers focus on high-value centralized wallets and social engineering.

What caused the surge in August crypto hacks?

August crypto hacks rose because attackers targeted centralized exchanges and wealthy individuals while Bitcoin and Ether reached new highs. High asset prices created larger payoffs for breaches, and social engineering plus hot-wallet access accounted for the largest single losses.

How did attackers steal approximately $163 million in August 2025?

Security firm PeckShield reported 16 incidents totaling about $163 million in August, a 15% increase from July’s $142 million and down 47% year-on-year. Two high-value breaches—a 783 BTC social-engineering theft (~$91M) and a hot-wallet compromise at Btcturk (~$50M)—dominated the month’s totals.

Source: PeckShield

Why are attackers focusing on centralized wallets and social engineering?

Attackers concentrate on centralized wallets and custodial systems because they offer single points of failure with high-value holdings. Kronos Research CEO Hank Huang noted that price surges increase reward incentives and that attackers are using sophisticated phishing and impersonation tactics to exploit operational weaknesses.

What trends did security firms identify across recent months?

PeckShield observed a declining number of attacks over recent months—20 in June, 17 in July, and 16 in August—suggesting improving baseline defenses. However, total loss volatility persists due to a small number of high-value incidents that overwhelm monthly totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did crypto hackers steal in August 2025?

Approximately $163 million was stolen across 16 attacks in August 2025, including one 783 BTC social-engineering loss and a near-$50 million hot-wallet breach at a Turkish exchange, according to PeckShield.

Who commented on the trend and what did they say?

Kronos Research CEO Hank Huang said higher crypto prices and focused targeting of centralized wallets raise the incentive for attackers; PeckShield highlighted a strategic shift to high-value targets.

How can high-value holders reduce risk?

High-value holders should adopt layered security: offline cold storage for long-term holdings, multi-party computation or hardware wallets for operations, strict access controls, and regular security audits and phishing resistance training.

Key Takeaways

• High-value focus: Attackers are prioritizing centralized wallets and large individual accounts.
• Price correlation: Rising crypto prices increase attacker incentives and potential losses.
• Defensive actions: Implement cold storage, strong operational security, and AI/phishing defenses to reduce exposure.

Conclusion

August crypto hacks demonstrate how price rallies and concentrated holdings amplify risk for centralized wallets and key individuals. PeckShield data and expert commentary from Kronos Research signal a need for improved security standards. COINOTAG recommends immediate operational reviews and layered defenses to protect high-value crypto holdings going forward.