Crypto Chaos in November: Hackers Run Wild as Web3 Loses Over $172M!
Crypto Hacks Surge in November as Web3 Faces One of Its Toughest Security Months of 2025
HOKANEWS.COM — What began as a seemingly stable final stretch of 2025 quickly turned into one of the most turbulent months in Web3 security. New data reveals that Crypto Hacks November produced some of the harshest exploit activity of the year, with attackers targeting decentralized finance platforms, exchanges, payment networks, and individual wallet users.
According to aggregated reports from cybersecurity researchers and blockchain auditing firms, the crypto sector saw $172.47 million in losses during November alone — even after $45 million was successfully recovered. The scale and speed of these incidents reflect a rising trend: attackers are becoming smarter, more coordinated, and far more unpredictable.
Industry analysts warn that these developments could define the tone of cybersecurity expectations heading into 2026.
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| Source: Xpost |
Major Exploits Drive November's Total Losses Past $172M
CertiK’s monthly attack tracker highlights a wave of sophisticated exploits that impacted both established platforms and emerging protocols. The most damaging incident of the month came from a $113 million attack on Balancer, making up more than half of all exploit-related losses recorded in November.
Other major November breaches include:
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Upbit: $29.8 million
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Bex: $12.4 million
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Beets: $3.8 million
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Gana Payment: $3.1 million
The data further shows:
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Over $130 million lost due to smart contract vulnerabilities
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$33 million lost due to compromised wallets
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$5.8 million stolen through organized phishing schemes
DeFi platforms were the primary target, accounting for $134.99 million drained, while centralized exchanges followed with nearly $30 million in losses.
Security firms warn that this widening attack surface demonstrates not only technical weaknesses but also a growing lack of preparedness among project developers.
Upbit Solana Exploit Sends Shockwaves Through Asian Markets
One of the most high-profile events in Crypto Hacks November was the Upbit Solana exploit that occurred on November 27.
Between $30 million and $38 million worth of Solana-based assets were transferred to an unidentified wallet, sparking immediate market concern and prompting Upbit to freeze withdrawals and move remaining assets into cold storage. The exchange also managed to successfully freeze $8.5 million in LAYER tokens, preventing further losses.
Investigators are currently considering several possible causes:
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Compromised internal private keys
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A vulnerability in Upbit’s transaction validation system
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An external exploit by a sophisticated attacker
Some cybersecurity experts have suggested that the breach may be linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, which has been tied to multiple high-value crypto attacks throughout 2025.
If confirmed, this would mark yet another high-profile intrusion attributed to the group and raise new concerns about state-backed cybercrime in the digital asset sector.
Yearn Finance Hit With $9M Loss in Price Manipulation Scheme
The DeFi sector was shaken again when Yearn Finance disclosed a $9 million loss from its yETH vault. Unlike typical smart contract breaches, this exploit did not involve breaking or bypassing protocol code. Instead, the attacker used a sophisticated price manipulation strategy, altering vault accounting and triggering a system miscalculation.
By manipulating token values and exploiting pricing logic, the attacker extracted more ETH than they originally deposited. Over 1,000 ETH was later mixed through Tornado Cash, complicating tracking efforts.
Experts point to this incident as a reminder that:
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DeFi vulnerabilities extend beyond code errors
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Poor liquidity design and flawed oracle structures can be just as dangerous
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Attackers are increasingly using multi-step tactics involving market manipulation rather than simple code exploitation
Several analysts argue that this event will likely force more DeFi protocols to undergo stringent economic security audits rather than relying solely on code reviews.
Phishing Attacks Surge as Hackers Shift Toward Social Engineering
Another alarming trend seen in Crypto Hacks November is the rapid growth of targeted phishing attacks, particularly those linked to the Lazarus Group. AhnLab’s 2026 Security Outlook reports that the group is increasingly using highly tailored spear-phishing messages disguised as:
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Job applications
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Academic collaboration requests
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Executive-level interview opportunities
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Vendor or service contract proposals
These attacks are far more convincing than traditional crypto scams, due in part to the use of advanced AI tools. Cybercriminals can now generate:
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Hyper-realistic deepfake videos
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Professional-grade fake documents
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Emails that mimic corporate communication styles
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Web pages indistinguishable from real login portals
This new wave of AI-assisted scams makes it significantly more difficult for users — even experienced investors — to distinguish between legitimate communication and malicious deception.
Cybersecurity researchers warn that this trend will escalate in 2026 as AI tools become more accessible.
New “Invisible Theft” Malware Steals Solana Via Micro-Transactions
One of the most unexpected discoveries of Crypto Hacks November came from researchers who identified a malicious Chrome extension known as Crypto Copilot.
The extension executed a hidden secondary instruction during Raydium swaps, siphoning tiny amounts of SOL — usually around 0.0013 SOL per transaction. This method allowed hackers to operate undetected because:
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The stolen value was extremely small
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Transactions blended into normal network activity
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Users rarely check micro-level fluctuations in swap balances
Shockingly, the extension remained available on the Chrome Web Store for a significant period despite public reports, putting thousands of users at risk.
Experts warn that as attackers learn to exploit micro-theft methods, losses may accumulate silently across larger user bases without immediate detection.
Crypto Industry Faces Tough Questions Heading Into 2026
Crypto Hacks November presents a sobering preview of what may come next year. Attackers are shifting strategies, combining social engineering with contract vulnerabilities, market manipulation, and micro-level malware. At the same time, DeFi protocols continue to face vulnerabilities tied not only to code but to their underlying economic designs.
This month’s incidents highlight several urgent priorities for the industry:
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Stronger security audits across both code and tokenomics
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Better key-management systems for centralized exchanges
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Improved user education on phishing and malware
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Enhanced regulatory coordination across jurisdictions
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More resilient oracle and pricing mechanisms
With more institutional investors entering the market and global crypto adoption rising, the pressure to secure digital asset ecosystems has never been greater.
Conclusion
Crypto Hacks November demonstrates that Web3 cybersecurity is entering a period of rapid escalation. From multi-million-dollar exploits on major platforms to stealthy malware stealing fractions of a token at a time, attackers are becoming more versatile and far more dangerous.
As 2026 approaches, the crypto industry must brace for increased risk and take decisive steps to reinforce its defenses. Failure to adapt could pave the way for even larger breaches in the coming year.
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