Centralized Services and Private Keys in the Crosshairs of Crypto Thieves

TLDR

• The new Chainalysis crypto crime report is out.
• Over $2 billion in funds were lost.
• Centralized entities were the hardest hit.

Crypto ownership isn’t just about watching charts or dreaming of moonshots. It’s also about protecting your digital assets from the unsavory folks trying to nab your hard-earned coins. 2024 was a year filled with crypto highs and a sobering reality check in cybersecurity. 

If you’re new to the crypto world, here’s what you need to know about how bad actors are targeting centralized services and private keys, what it means for you, and what you can do to stay safe. 

A Tough Year for Crypto Security 

Cyberattacks on the crypto industry led to losses totaling a staggering $2.2 billion in 2024, according to the Chainalysis 2024 report. If you want to read the full report, go download it at the site and support their work. That’s a jump of about 21% from last year’s losses, highlighting the growing sophistication of crypto scams and hacks. 

Chainalysis recorded 303 major incidents in just 12 months, with hackers getting especially active early in the year. By July, they had already made off with $1.58 billion — 72% of the yearly total.  

The big takeaway? Hackers increasingly target centralized finance (CeFi) services and exchanges and exploit private key vulnerabilities. 

CeFi’s Staggering Year 

CeFi platforms had a particularly rough time in 2024, seeing a nearly 1,000% year-over-year increase in incidents, according to Web3 cybersecurity firm Cyvers. However, Dypto Crypto could not find any report confirming this statistic. 

Centralized exchanges and services, often seen by crypto beginners as safer options, have instead become prime targets for hackers. 

Among the most high-profile incidents was a $235 million hack on Indian exchange WazirX in July. Japanese exchange DMM also made headlines when it lost $305 million worth of Bitcoin in May due to reported private key mishandling — a stark reminder that even giants can tumble. 

Other notable cases included a private key leak at South Korea’s NFT and gaming platform PlayDapp, which led to $290 million in losses in February. 

These attacks prove that CeFi entities aren’t foolproof. While they offer convenience, they also consolidate risk, creating a treasure trove for cybercriminals clever (and lucky) enough to break in. 

The Danger of Private Key Mismanagement 

Private key compromises accounted for a whopping 43.8% of stolen crypto this year, making it the largest single attack vector, according to Chainalysis. 

Think of your private key as the master password to your crypto wallet. Losing control of it is gift-wrapping your assets for thieves. One of the largest crypto exploits to date — the $305 million hack of DMM — likely happened due to poor private key management or weak security protocols. 

But it’s not just about giant entities. Individuals like you are also at risk. Common tactics like SIM swaps, phishing emails, and even fake airdrops are being fine-tuned to trick users into giving away their keys or login credentials. 

If you receive an unsolicited message urging you to “verify your account” or “claim your rewards,” stop and think — chances are close to 100% that someone’s trying to scam you. 

Key Lessons From 2024 

The hacks, scams, and exploits of 2024 paint a grim picture, but there’s also a silver lining. Each attack comes with a lesson — one you can use to protect yourself in the future. 

Here are the top takeaways for safeguarding your crypto assets: 

1. Always Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) 

Multifactor authentication is one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access to your account. MFA makes it exponentially harder for hackers to weasel their way into your wallet or exchange account. 

2. Be Wary of Suspicious Communications 

Unsolicited emails, Telegram DMs, or random links claiming to offer rewards are almost always scams. Stick to official communication channels and, when in doubt, verify with the company directly using their published contact information. 

3. Choose Security Over Convenience 

Yes, CeFi platforms make life easy but don’t assume they’re bulletproof. If you must use centralized services, ensure they’re top-tier in security practices. For maximum control, consider moving assets to a secure hardware wallet — a device designed to keep your crypto offline and out of hackers’ reach. 

4. Attend to Private Key Safety Like Your Life Depends on It 

Your private key should never, under any circumstances, be shared or stored in places like cloud services or mobile notes apps. Keep it offline, preferably written in multiple safe locations. 

5. Educate Yourself Constantly 

Blockchain technology and cybersecurity threats aren’t static. The more you learn and stay up-to-date, the better equipped you’ll be to detect and avoid scams. 

Looking Ahead to 2025 

Chainalysis warns that crime won’t slow as crypto markets heat up heading into 2025. For everyday users, vigilance will remain the first and best line of defense. 

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into crypto or already managing a diverse portfolio, remember this above all else — security isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” situation. It’s a habit you’ll need to build, evaluate, and refine constantly. 

Be safe out there, guys. We live in a crazy world.