{"id":882415,"date":"2026-01-02T02:12:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T08:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/crypto-hack-losses-fell-60-in-december-to-76m-peckshield\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T02:12:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T08:12:01","slug":"crypto-hack-losses-fell-60-in-december-to-76m-peckshield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/crypto-hack-losses-fell-60-in-december-to-76m-peckshield\/","title":{"rendered":"Crypto Hack Losses Fell 60% in December to $76M: PeckShield"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/23090551\/ayan-150x150.jpg\" alt>\n                    <\/p>\n<p>Crypto Journalist<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Amin Ayan<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/23090551\/ayan-150x150.jpg\" alt>\n                <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Crypto Journalist<\/p>\n<p><span>Amin Ayan<\/span><span class><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/cryptonews\/images\/verification.svg\" alt=\"Verified\"><\/span>\n                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Part of the Team Since<\/p>\n<p>Apr 2025<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>About Author<\/p>\n<p>Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24\/7 Wall St. He has&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Last updated:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><time datetime=\"2026-01-02T05:35:11+00:00\">January 1, 2026<\/time>\n        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"1200\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/02050102\/1767330062-image-1767330023387_optimized.jpg\" alt=\"Crypto Hack Losses Fell 60% in December to $76M: PeckShield\" decoding=\"async\"  ><\/p>\n<p>Crypto-related losses from hacks and cybersecurity exploits fell sharply in December, dropping 60% month-on-month to about $76 million, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PeckShieldAlert\/status\/2006716067712782819\" target=\"_blank\">blockchain security firm PeckShield<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Crypto hack losses fell 60% in December to $76 million, marking a sharp drop from November\u2019s levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>A single address poisoning scam accounted for $50 million of losses, making it December\u2019s largest crypto exploit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>PeckShield warns that persistent threats like key leaks and browser wallet exploits still pose serious risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The figure marks a notable decline from November\u2019s $194.2 million, offering a rare pause after months of elevated attack activity across the sector.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"h-address-poisoning-scam-drives-50m-loss-in-december-crypto-exploits\">Address Poisoning Scam Drives $50M Loss in December Crypto Exploits<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>PeckShield said December saw 26 major crypto exploits, with a handful of incidents accounting for the bulk of losses. The largest involved a single user who lost $50 million in an address poisoning scam.<\/p>\n<p>In such attacks, threat actors send small transactions from wallet addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones, hoping victims will mistakenly copy or select the fraudulent address during a transfer.<\/p>\n<p>These scams often rely on visual similarity. Typically, the first and last few characters of the fake address match the real one, making it easy for users to miss subtle differences when scanning transaction histories. Attackers exploit that moment of inattention to redirect funds irreversibly.<\/p>\n<p>Another major incident in December involved a private key leak tied to a multi-signature wallet, which resulted in losses of about $27.3 million.<\/p>\n<p>PeckShield said the breach highlights the persistent risks around key management, even for wallets that rely on multiple approvals for transactions.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<blockquote data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<div lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PeckShieldAlert?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">#PeckShieldAlert<\/a> December 2025 witnessed ~26 major crypto exploits, resulting in total losses of ~$76M.<\/p>\n<p>This figure represents a decrease of over 60% from November&#8217;s total of $194.27M, marking a significant reduction in monthly losses.<\/p>\n<p>Notably:<br \/>\ud83d\udd3aWallet 0xcB80\u2026819 lost $50M\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/CNW3R6646j\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/CNW3R6646j<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u2014 PeckShieldAlert (@PeckShieldAlert) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PeckShieldAlert\/status\/2006716067712782819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">January 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>While the overall decline in stolen funds may appear encouraging, security experts caution that it does not necessarily signal a lasting shift.<\/p>\n<p>PeckShield pointed to several notable attacks during the month, including a Christmas-day exploit targeting Trust Wallet\u2019s browser extension that drained roughly $7 million, as well as a $3.9 million hack affecting the Flow protocol.<\/p>\n<p>Browser-based wallets remain a common target for attackers due to their constant internet connectivity. In contrast, hardware wallets, offline devices designed to store private keys, are widely considered one of the safest options for long-term asset storage, a distinction often highlighted by security researchers and outlets such as Cointelegraph.<\/p>\n<p>PeckShield said users can significantly reduce their exposure to common exploits by adopting basic precautions.<\/p>\n<p>These include verifying every character of a destination address before sending funds, avoiding reliance on saved transaction histories, and keeping private keys offline whenever possible.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"h-brooklyn-man-charged-in-16m-crypto-scam-targeting-coinbase-users\">Brooklyn Man Charged in $16M Crypto Scam Targeting Coinbase Users<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As reported, US prosecutors <a href=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/news\/brooklyn-man-charged-with-stealing-16m-in-crypto-from-100-coinbase-users\/\">have charged a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident<\/a>, Ronald Spektor, with stealing roughly $16 million in cryptocurrency from around 100 Coinbase users through an alleged phishing and social engineering scheme.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Brooklyn District Attorney\u2019s Office, Spektor posed as a Coinbase employee and contacted victims claiming their funds were at immediate risk, pressuring them to transfer crypto to wallets he controlled.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities said the scheme relied on panic tactics rather than technical hacks. Operating under the online alias \u201clolimfeelingevil,\u201d Spektor allegedly warned victims of imminent theft to override skepticism and force quick decisions.<\/p>\n<p>\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKQgKIiNDQklTRkFnTWFoQUtEbU55ZVhCMGIyNWxkM011WTI5dEtBQVAB?ceid=US:en&#038;oc=3\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>                            <svg width=\"20\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" fill=\"none\">\n                            <path d=\"M19.6 5.36C19.6 5.48 19.6 5.66 19.54 5.78L17.2 12.8V5.6C17.2 4.94 16.66 4.4 16 4.4H12.82L12.52 3.8L11.86 2.36L15.34 3.32L18.58 4.16C19.18 4.28 19.6 4.82 19.6 5.36Z\" fill=\"#FF4131\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M15.4 0.799997V3.26L11.92 2.3L11.74 1.88C11.44 1.28 10.72 0.979997 10.12 1.22L4.59998 3.38V0.799997C4.59998 0.499997 4.89998 0.199997 5.19998 0.199997H14.8C15.1 0.199997 15.4 0.499997 15.4 0.799997Z\" fill=\"#03A846\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M12.82 4.4H4.00002C3.34002 4.4 2.80002 4.94 2.80002 5.6V11.42L0.520024 6.5C0.460024 6.26 0.400024 6.08 0.400024 5.9V5.84C0.400024 5.3 0.700024 4.82 1.24002 4.64L4.60002 3.32L10.06 1.22C10.72 0.979997 11.44 1.28 11.68 1.88L11.86 2.3L12.52 3.74L12.82 4.4Z\" fill=\"#FDBD04\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M17.2 5.59999V14.6C17.2 15.26 16.66 15.8 16 15.8H4.00005C3.34005 15.8 2.80005 15.26 2.80005 14.6V5.59999C2.80005 4.93999 3.34005 4.39999 4.00005 4.39999H16C16.66 4.39999 17.2 4.93999 17.2 5.59999ZM9.40005 9.79999H7.00005V11H7.90005C7.60005 11.36 7.18005 11.6 6.70005 11.6C5.86005 11.6 5.20005 10.94 5.20005 10.1C5.20005 9.25999 5.86005 8.59999 6.70005 8.59999C7.12005 8.59999 7.48005 8.77999 7.78005 9.01999L8.62005 8.17999C8.14005 7.69999 7.48005 7.39999 6.70005 7.39999C5.20005 7.39999 4.00005 8.59999 4.00005 10.1C4.00005 11.6 5.20005 12.8 6.70005 12.8C7.90005 12.8 8.86005 12.08 9.22005 11C9.34005 10.7 9.40005 10.4 9.40005 10.1C9.40005 9.97999 9.40005 9.91999 9.40005 9.79999ZM14.8 7.39999H10.6V8.59999H14.8V7.39999ZM16 9.79999H10.6V11H16V9.79999ZM14.8 12.2H10.6V13.4H14.8V12.2Z\" fill=\"#0284FE\" \/>\n                            <\/svg><br \/>\n                                                                    Follow us on Google News                                    <\/a>\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/news\/crypto-hack-losses-fell-60-in-december-to-76m-peckshield\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Tama Badon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Crypto Journalist Amin Ayan Crypto Journalist Amin Ayan Part of the Team Since Apr 2025 About Author Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24\/7 Wall St. He has&#8230; Last updated:\u00a0 January 1, 2026 Crypto-related<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":882416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22791,124],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-882415","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-crypto","8":"category-losses"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/882415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=882415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/882415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/882416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=882415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=882415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=882415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}