Crypto Phishing Attacks Soared 170% – Is There a Silver Lining? A 2025 Deep Dive

The crypto landscape is rife with challenges, and scams and exploits have long plagued the crypto industry. CertiK's Web3 Security Report for Q2 of 2025 has some interesting points. Notably, phishing attacks have increased by 170% since the last quarter, with CertiK underlining that social media platforms are a major pain point for Web3 projects.

This surge is part of a larger, concerning trend. Russian cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky revealed that cryptocurrency phishing attacks witnessed a 40% year-on-year increase in 2025. The numbers are staggering. In 2025, the company detected over 5 million phishing attacks, in which attackers use fake websites and communication channels to trick investors into sharing sensitive information.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) also confirms this upward trajectory. In the fourth quarter of 2025, APWG observed 989,123 phishing attacks, up from 877,536 in Q3. This data underscores the persistent and growing threat facing crypto users. Chinese phishers are sending floods of SMS phishing attacks, adding another layer of complexity to the problem.

Beyond phishing, the overall cybersecurity environment remains volatile. In the first half of 2025, approximately 236.1 million ransomware attacks were reported globally. Furthermore, 82% of breaches in 2025 involved human factors, such as errors or data mismanagement. This highlights the importance of user education and robust security protocols.

Is There a Silver Lining? While the rise in crypto phishing is alarming, increased awareness and proactive security measures offer hope. The constant reporting by security firms like CertiK and Kaspersky helps educate users. The focus on human factors in breaches emphasizes the importance of training and building a more secure digital environment. By understanding the evolving threats and implementing best practices, we can mitigate the risks and work towards a safer crypto ecosystem.