Crypto Market Loses $127M to November Exploits and Scams

• Lyla Velez
• December 1, 2025
• News
• 0 Comments

Crypto platforms lost approximately $127 million to scams and hacks in November 2025, with Balancer and Upbit among major victims. Key players cite authorities confirming the use of AI technology in these cyber threats, emphasizing heightened sophistication and ongoing security challenges.

A continued surge in cyber threats against crypto platforms poses substantial risks to decentralized finance security and exchanges. The use of advanced technologies by hackers further complicates the landscape, demanding vigilant and rapid responses from security firms.

In November 2025, crypto platforms lost $127 million to exploits, hacks, and scams, highlighting an alarming trend. CertiK’s assessments revealed that Balancer and Upbit suffered major losses, leveraging AI-assisted attack methods that have become increasingly sophisticated. The DeFi protocol Balancer was exploited for $113 million. Upbit experienced a breach involving $37 million, with links to North Korea’s Lazarus Group.

CertiK Security Team, Blockchain Security Firm – “Code vulnerabilities were the largest factor driving losses in the crypto sector, as highlighted in our November threat assessment.” Source

Immediate effects on the market include shaken trust and increased scrutiny on decentralized protocols. New vulnerabilities have emerged, emphasizing the need for strengthened security measures. Affected Ethereum tokens highlight significant exposure and risks primarily centered around Balancer’s ecosystem.

Financial implications are of a notable scale, with coordinated efforts leading to the recovery of $45 million worth of assets. This illustrates potential for improving incident responses. Technological implications center on AI’s dual role in crypto technologies and cybersecurity threats, demanding evolved measures in regulatory frameworks.

The crypto industry’s current trajectory includes further regulatory oversight, particularly in strengthening defenses against advanced cyber threats. Learning from past incidents like the KuCoin and Ronin hacks provides crucial context, yet the use of AI enhances the stakes, necessitating proactive infrastructure and collaborative security efforts.