The largest theft was $91.4 million from anonymous Bitcoin addresses.
Other victims included Odin.fun ($7 million), BetterBank.io ($5 million), and CrediX Finance ($4.5 million).
Weak audits, human error, and fast platform launches are driving security risks.
The digital asset industry faced another blow in August as hackers stole $163 million across 16 separate incidents, according to blockchain security firm PeckShield.
This was a jump from July’s $142 million, showing how attacks are becoming more frequent and technically advanced.
The largest theft was $91.4 million from multiple anonymous Bitcoin addresses, underlining the vulnerability of individual investors as well as institutions.
Beyond the immediate financial loss, these incidents raise questions about the security of centralised platforms and the long-term impact on investor trust in the wider crypto market, which continues to expand globally.
$54 million BtcTurk hack highlights exchange weaknesses
One of the biggest cases in August was the breach of BtcTurk, Turkey’s leading crypto exchange, which lost $54 million.
This incident was particularly notable because the same platform had already been hit in June 2024 for another $54 million, bringing its total annual losses above $100 million.
BtcTurk confirmed that unauthorised access had been detected, affected wallets were frozen, and investigations with local authorities were underway.
The repeat nature of the attack highlights how centralised exchanges remain a high-value target, with security defences proving inadequate against persistent attackers.
Other platforms lost $17 million in separate cases
While BtcTurk dominated headlines, smaller but still damaging attacks hit other platforms. Odin.fun lost $7 million, BetterBank.io suffered $5 million in losses, and CrediX Finance was drained of $4.5 million.
These examples show how cybercriminals are not only targeting major exchanges but also smaller platforms, often exploiting weak security audits or untested systems.
The cumulative effect of these breaches demonstrates how no level of the crypto ecosystem is safe from exploitation, whether through technical loopholes or basic operational oversights.
Human error and lack of audits fuel rising attacks
PeckShield’s data shows that the crypto sector’s rapid growth is directly linked to the rising number of hacks. New platforms and protocols are often launched quickly without thorough security reviews, giving attackers multiple entry points.
Alongside structural weaknesses, human error continues to play a major role. Users failing to enable two-factor authentication, relying on weak passwords, or falling victim to phishing scams leave both exchanges and personal wallets open to compromise.
The combination of technical flaws and behavioural lapses is creating an environment where cybercrime thrives, forcing exchanges and investors to reconsider their defences.
Regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions have noted these trends, pointing to the need for stricter compliance checks.
Bitcoin dips as investor confidence weakens
The impact of these hacks has extended into the wider market. Bitcoin (BTC) slipped 0.29% in the past 24 hours to trade at $108,361.50, with a market capitalisation of $2.15 trillion.
Analysts warn that repeated breaches could slow mainstream adoption, as every incident erodes investor confidence and strengthens the case for stricter regulations to protect consumers and stabilise trading activity.
