• Malicious emails reached 5.6% of global traffic on average, affecting one in every 20 messages.

• Deceptive links dominated, making up 52% of threats, often impersonating trusted sources.

• Identity deception rose to 38%, with crypto-related phishing surging and causing irreversible losses for victims.

Crypto phishing emails in 2025 surged, with malicious content hitting 9.7% in November. Protect your assets by recognizing deceptive links and verifying sources. Stay secure in the volatile crypto world.

What Percentage of Emails Were Malicious in 2025?

Malicious emails accounted for 5.6% of global email traffic in 2025, according to data from internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare. This means more than one in every 20 emails contained harmful elements like credential theft attempts or financial scams. The rate peaked at 9.7% in November, nearly doubling the yearly average and highlighting a sharp increase in cyber threats.

Cloudflare found over 5% of global emails were malicious in 2025, peaking at nearly 10% in November, with more than half of them containing deceptive links.

More than 5% of all emails sent worldwide contain malicious content, according to internet infrastructure giant Cloudflare. 

The web security giant revealed that an aggregate of 5.6% of global email traffic analyzed by the firm over the past year was found to be malicious. This equates to more than one in every twenty emails containing harmful content.

In November, that figure surged to almost one in 10, nearly double the average for the year, it found. 

Malicious emails include those that can cause harm, such as the theft of credentials, data, or money, Cloudflare explained in its 2025 year-in-review report. 

The findings are particularly relevant to crypto investors, as phishing attacks targeting crypto traders, investors, and executives have increased in complexity and surged in recent months. 

Crypto phishing links can be especially damaging. Once a victim falls for one of these malicious links or sends cryptocurrency to a scammer, there’s usually no way back. 

Malicious emails surged to 9.7% in November. Source: Cloudflare

How Do Deceptive Links in Emails Target Crypto Users?

Deceptive links represented the top threat in malicious emails, comprising 52% of cases in 2025, as reported by Cloudflare. These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal wallet credentials or prompt unauthorized crypto transfers. For crypto users, the danger is amplified because blockchain transactions are irreversible, leading to permanent losses estimated in billions annually by cybersecurity experts.

In the crypto space, attackers frequently use these links in emails mimicking legitimate exchanges or project updates, tricking users into entering private keys. Cloudflare’s analysis showed that identity deception, the second most common threat at 38%, involved spoofed domains that closely resemble trusted crypto platforms. This uptick from 35% in 2024 underscores evolving tactics, with experts like those at cybersecurity firms noting a 20-30% rise in targeted crypto phishing campaigns.

Additionally, unusual top-level domains like .christmas were heavily abused, with 92.7% of emails from this extension being malicious. Other suspicious TLDs included .lol, .forum, .help, .best, and .click, which scammers exploit to evade filters and reach crypto enthusiasts. “Phishing remains the gateway to most crypto breaches,” stated a senior analyst from a leading security research group, emphasizing the need for vigilance in verifying email origins.

Deceptive links were the highest threat category among malicious emails. Source: Cloudflare

A Quarter of HTML Attachments in Emails Contain Malware

Research from cybersecurity firm Barracuda examined 670 million emails in 2025, revealing that email attacks persist as the primary vector for cyber threats. Malicious attachments and links delivered malware, fueled phishing, and exploited vulnerabilities, with one in four HTML attachments proving harmful. In the crypto context, 12% of malicious PDF attachments were tied to Bitcoin scams, luring users with fake investment opportunities.

Hornet Security’s November report further confirmed email’s role as a consistent delivery method for cyberattacks, with malware-laden messages increasing by 131% year-over-year. For cryptocurrency holders, these attachments often disguise themselves as transaction confirmations or airdrop claims, prompting downloads that install keyloggers to capture wallet details. Experts recommend scanning attachments with updated antivirus software before opening, as crypto losses from such vectors exceeded $1.5 billion in reported incidents throughout the year.

Earlier this year, researchers at cybersecurity company Barracuda analyzed 670 million emails that were malicious or unwanted spam.

They discovered that email remains the most common attack vector for cyber threats, with malicious attachments and links being used to distribute malware, launch phishing campaigns, and exploit vulnerabilities. 

As many as one in four emails were unwanted spam, a quarter of all HTML attachments were malicious, and 12% of malicious PDF attachments were Bitcoin scams, they reported. 

In November, Hornet Security reported that email was a “consistent delivery vector” for cyberattacks in 2025, with malware-laden emails surging by 131% year-over-year. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Crypto Phishing Emails So Dangerous in 2025?

Crypto phishing emails in 2025 exploit the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions, leading to total asset loss once credentials are stolen. With malicious rates hitting 9.7% in November per Cloudflare data, these scams often use deceptive links mimicking exchanges, resulting in billions in stolen cryptocurrencies annually.

How Can Investors Spot Malicious Emails Targeting Crypto Wallets?

To identify malicious emails, check for suspicious sender domains like .christmas or .lol, avoid clicking unverified links, and verify requests through official channels. Natural language alerts from voice assistants can remind users: always confirm wallet activities directly on secure platforms to prevent phishing losses in the crypto ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Malicious Email Surge: Global rates averaged 5.6% in 2025, peaking at 9.7% in November, directly impacting crypto security.
• Deceptive Links Lead Threats: Over half of malicious emails contained fake links, with identity spoofing rising to 38% for targeted crypto scams.
• Protective Actions: Scan attachments, use multi-factor authentication, and educate on suspicious domains to safeguard cryptocurrency holdings.

Conclusion

The rise in malicious emails and crypto phishing attacks in 2025, as detailed by Cloudflare and other security analyses, underscores the urgent need for robust defenses in the digital asset space. With deceptive links and malware attachments driving most threats, investors must prioritize verification and awareness to mitigate risks. Looking ahead, continued advancements in email filtering and user education will be essential to secure the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.