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Cryptocurrency wallet drainers stole $494 million in 2024

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Cryptocurrency wallet drainers stole 4 million in 2024

Scammers stole $494 million worth of cryptocurrency in wallet drainer attacks last year that targeted more than 300,000 wallet addresses.

This marks a 67% increase over 2023 figures although the number of victims only rose by 3.7%, indicating that victims held more significant amounts on average.

The data comes from web3 anti-scam platform ‘Scam Sniffer,’ which has been tracking wallet drainer activity for a while now, previously reporting attack waves that impacted up to 100,000 people at once.

Wallet drainers are phishing tools specifically designed to steal cryptocurrency or other digital assets from users’ wallets, often deployed on fake or compromised websites.

In 2024, Scam Sniffer observed 30 large-scale (above $1 million) thefts conducted via wallet drainers, with the largest single heist cashing in $55.4 million worth of cryptocurrency.

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This occurred early in the year when Bitcoin’s price hikes fueled phishing activity. In the first quarter of the year, a total of $187 million was stolen via wallet drainer attacks.

Amount in losses and number of wallets impacted monthly
Amount in losses and number of wallets impacted monthly
Source: Scam Sniffer

In the second quarter of the year, a notable drainer service named ‘Pink Drainer,’ previously seen impersonating journalists in phishing attacks to compromise Discord and Twitter accounts for cryptocurrency-stealing attacks, announced its exit.

Although this caused a drop in phishing activity, the scammers started to gradually pick up the pace in the third quarter with the Inferno service taking the the lead by causing $110 million in losses in August and September combined.

Finally, the activity subsided in the final quarter of the year, which only accounted for about 10.3% of the total losses recorded in 2024. At that time, Acedrainer also emerged as a major player, taking 20% of the drainer market, ScamSniffer says.

Drainers'monthly activity
Drainers’ monthly activity
Source: Scam Sniffer

Most of the losses (85.3%) occurred on Ethereum, amounting to $152 million while staking (40.9%) and stablecoins (33.5%) were among the most targeted.

Regarding trends seen in 2024, Scam Sniffer highlights the use of fake CAPTCHA and Cloudflare pages, and IPFS to evade detection, as well as a shift in signature types facilitating money theft.

Specifically, most thefts relied on the ‘Permit’ signature (56.7%) or ‘setOwner’ (31.9%) to drain funds. The first gives approval for token spending as per the EIP-2612 standard, while the second updates smart contract ownership or administrative rights.

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Another noteworthy trend is the increased use of Google Ads and Twitter ads as a source of traffic to the phishing websites, with the attackers using compromised accounts, bots, and fake token airdrops to achieve their goal.

Number of fake accounts on X pushing crypto drainers
Number of fake accounts on X pushing crypto drainers
Source: Scam Sniffer

To protect from Web3 attacks, the recommendation is to interact only with trusted and verified websites, cross-check URLs with official project websites, read transaction approval prompts and permission requests before signing, and simulate transactions before performing them.

Many wallets also offer built-in warnings for phishing or malicious transactions, so make sure to enable those. Finally, use token revoking tools to ensure no suspicious permissions are active.

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Cryptocurrency analytics company Santiment announces that Bitcoin network profitability is at its peak! Here are the details

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Cryptocurrency analytics company Santiment announces that Bitcoin network profitability is at its peak! Here are the details

Cryptocurrency analytics company Santiment shared some noteworthy data regarding profitability on the Bitcoin network.

According to the company’s latest report, the ratio of profitable to losing Bitcoin trades rose to 2.95 to 1 last weekend.

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This metric is calculated based on the difference between the price of a Bitcoin at the time of transfer and the price at which it was purchased. This ratio reveals the extent to which investors are profitable under current market conditions, while also offering important clues about market sentiment.

According to Santiment data, this ratio historically approaching the 3.0 level is generally considered a signal indicating a short-term price peak. Analysts point out that during such periods when a large portion of investors are in profit, selling pressure may increase, which could have a downward impact on the price.

Market experts emphasize that this data alone should not be seen as a definitive bearish signal, and that evaluating it in conjunction with other technical and on-chain indicators will yield healthier results. However, it is stated that the current ratio level indicates that investors should exercise caution.

While Bitcoin’s price has shown strong performance recently, investors’ tendency to take profits could be decisive in determining the market’s direction. According to experts, changes in on-chain data and transaction volume in the coming days will provide a clearer picture of price movements.

*This is not investment advice.

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This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 29, 2026)

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This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 29, 2026)

This Week in Crypto Law

The opinion editorial below was written by Alex Forehand and Michael Handelsman for Kelman.Law.

The final week of March delivered a series of pivotal legal and regulatory developments bridging traditional finance and digital assets. From tokenized securities trading in the United States to global enforcement actions and jurisdictional battles, regulators are increasingly asserting control while also enabling new market structures

SEC Approves Nasdaq Plan for Tokenized Securities Trading

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved a proposal by Nasdaq to facilitate trading of certain equities and ETFs in tokenized form. This move represents a significant step toward integrating blockchain infrastructure into traditional securities markets, allowing tokenized representations of assets to trade alongside conventional instruments. The approval signals growing regulatory acceptance of blockchain-based settlement systems and could accelerate adoption of tokenization across mainstream financial markets.

Hong Kong Tightens Crypto Licensing Regime

Hong Kong has intensified its crypto licensing requirements, warning exchanges that failure to obtain proper authorization could result in enforcement action as the transition period ends. The shift reflects a broader regulatory evolution—from early-stage openness to strict compliance enforcement. While some firms may exit the market, others may view this as a necessary step toward institutional credibility and long-term adoption.

Nigeria Charges Binance Executives with Tax Evasion

Nigeria has filed tax evasion charges against executives of Binance, escalating its efforts to regulate crypto activity within its borders. The case presents a major test of how far national governments can extend jurisdiction over global crypto platforms and their personnel, particularly in emerging markets.

Scrutiny Mounts After SEC Enforcement Chief Resigns

U.S. lawmakers are seeking answers following the abrupt resignation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement director. The departure has raised concerns about potential political influence over enforcement priorities, including those related to crypto markets. Leadership changes at key regulatory agencies can significantly impact enforcement strategy, creating uncertainty for market participants navigating compliance obligations.

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Department of Labor Opens Door to Crypto in 401(k) Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor proposed new guidance that could allow crypto assets to be included in 401(k) retirement plans. The proposal would permit plan fiduciaries to allocate to crypto alongside other alternative investments, such as private equity. This marks a potential turning point for mainstream adoption—but also raises complex legal questions regarding fiduciary duties, risk disclosures, and investor protection in retirement accounts.

U.S. Government Challenges State Regulation of Prediction Markets

The U.S. government has filed lawsuits against multiple states, asserting that only the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has authority to regulate prediction markets. The dispute centers on whether event-based trading platforms should be regulated as gambling under state law or as derivatives under federal law. This is a critical jurisdictional battle that could determine how emerging digital trading platforms—such as prediction markets—are regulated in the United States.

Staying informed and compliant in this evolving landscape is more critical than ever. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or business involved in cryptocurrency, our team is here to help. We provide the legal counsel needed to navigate these exciting developments. If you believe we can assist, schedule a consultation here.

This Week in Crypto Archive:

This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 22, 2026)

This Week in Crypto Law (Mar. 15, 2026)

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This Week In Crypto Law (Mar. 8, 2026)

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What Is Risk Management in Crypto Trading? A 2026 Guide

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What Is Risk Management in Crypto Trading? A 2026 Guide

If you’re wondering how to manage risk when trading crypto, remember that this market shifts rapidly; pairing enthusiasm with prudence is the wiser approach to digital assets. In practice, risk management is the process of identifying what could go wrong in a trade, deciding in advance how much you can lose, and using tools (like position limits and exits) to keep any single mistake or market move from doing outsized damage.

Summary

Crypto and traditional securities expose investors to different kinds of risk, and treating them as identical leads to poor assumptions. Because these markets operate on distinct mechanics, each must be assessed within its own context. Risk management matters because the same volatility and structural quirks that create opportunity can also turn a small misstep into a large loss, and protecting capital is what keeps you in the game long enough to learn and improve.

In fast-moving crypto markets, a structured risk plan turns uncertainty into defined decisions you can execute consistently.

Speculative Securities: A Quick Primer

When an instrument is considered speculative, there is a real chance of losing interest, principal, or both. Understandably, many shy away from such exposure, yet outcomes are unpredictable and can result in either significant gains or losses.

Consider high-yield bonds — commonly known as junk bonds. Issuers often have low credit ratings, so defaults are more likely than with investment-grade borrowers. In the late 1980s, these bonds were labeled speculative-grade or below-investment-grade. Many issuers were in or near bankruptcy, and it was uncertain which companies would survive. Backing a firm that emerged successfully could yield outsized returns, but many investors saw capital evaporate. Even after fundamental analysis — examining company history, financials, performance data, and market trends — the uncertainty kept these assets firmly speculative.

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Crypto’s Shifting Risk Profile

Cryptocurrency markets are also speculative, and the payoff potential can be dramatic; for instance, Bitcoin climbed from $10,000 to $20,000 within two weeks in December 2017. As with junk bonds in their heyday, no one can say which networks or tokens will lead over the long term. The risk drivers, however, are not the same as those in high-yield debt, and having a framework to manage exposure still matters. Key categories often include market risk (rapid price swings), liquidity risk (thin order books and slippage), operational and technology risk (platform outages and smart-contract bugs), regulatory risk (policy shifts), and custody or cybersecurity threats.

Much of crypto is new and evolves at breakneck speed. Classification remains unsettled: the Internal Revenue Service treats crypto as property subject to capital-gains tax, while the Securities and Exchange Commission views certain assets as securities that fall under its oversight. When fundamental definitions remain fluid, it’s easy to brand the space as risky — which is why approaching it with care and curiosity is sensible.

Speculative Risk-Taking Requires Deliberate Choices

Investing blends art and science, and even experienced professionals encounter surprises in the crypto market. What it should not become is a gamble. Do rigorous research, learn how the cryptocurrencies and platforms you use actually work, and understand the known hazards before you trade.

Strong risk habits tend to look similar across strategies: using stop-loss orders (or pre-defined exits) to cap downside, sizing positions so a single trade can’t meaningfully harm the account, diversifying so one token or theme doesn’t dominate outcomes, setting a risk/reward ratio before entering, and trading only with risk capital you can afford to lose without disrupting your financial life.

A simple five-step process can help bring structure to your approach: identify risks, analyze how likely and severe they are, choose controls to address them, implement those controls consistently, and then monitor results and adjust as conditions change.

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Your personal risk tolerance is not just a number. It reflects your financial situation (cash needs and debt), your goals and time horizon, your experience with drawdowns, and your psychological comfort with uncertainty. Practical ways to assess it include choosing a maximum acceptable percentage loss per trade and per day/week, paper trading to observe how you react under pressure, keeping a short trading journal, and stress-testing positions by imagining a sharp drop and deciding whether you could follow your plan without freezing or panic-selling.

You can also calculate risk parameters directly. A common approach is to set a maximum account risk per trade (for example, 1%) and then size the position from the distance between entry and stop. Position size (units) can be calculated as: (Account Size × Risk %) ÷ (Entry Price − Stop Price) for a long trade.

Example: If your account is $10,000 and you risk 1% ($100) on a trade, and you plan to buy at $50 with a stop at $48, your risk per coin is $2. Your position size would be $100 ÷ $2 = 50 coins. If your target is $56, the potential reward per coin is $6, so the risk/reward ratio is $6 ÷ $2 = 3:1.

Different risk decisions also fall into four broad types: avoiding risk (skipping a trade or asset you don’t understand), reducing risk (tightening sizing rules or using exits), transferring risk (using hedges or shifting exposure off a single venue), and accepting risk (taking a measured position because the potential upside justifies the predefined downside).

Common mistakes often show up when plans aren’t written down or enforced: overleveraging, trading without a stop, letting emotions override rules, building a portfolio that is effectively one crowded bet, and ignoring market-moving news or changes in exchange conditions that can affect execution.

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Keep the following factors in mind as you invest and design a crypto risk management process:

Risk Type Description
Price-Swing Risk Digital assets can move sharply in short windows, and sudden drawdowns can trigger forced selling or emotional decisions if losses are not capped in advance.
Regulatory Uncertainty Rule changes, enforcement actions, and unclear jurisdiction can affect access, listings, disclosures, and what participants can do on a given platform.
Cybersecurity and Custody Threats Account takeovers, phishing, compromised devices, and wallet or key-management failures can lead to irreversible loss of funds.
Liquidity Constraints Thin order books and fast markets can create slippage, making it difficult to enter or exit near intended prices, especially during stress.
Operational and Technology Risk Outages, congestion, bugs, and smart-contract failures can interrupt trading, delay transfers, or change the behavior of on-chain products.
  • Market Volatility
  • Market Regulation

Perhaps the most important point when shaping an effective approach is to avoid forcing legacy finance labels onto a new asset class. While many still regard the space as speculative, there is growing agreement that the underlying technology, networks, and crypto assets have real value. Methods to define and measure that value are still developing, and they will ultimately inform how traders perceive risk in this market.

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