The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center said Bitcoin ATM fraud losses reached $333.5 million in 2025, with more than 10,000 victims and over 12,000 complaints. The FTC reported median individual crypto scam losses of $5,400 in 2024 and warned users to watch for impersonation and pressure tactics.

On January 3 2026, security researchers reported a phishing campaign targeting Cardano users with emails promoting a fake Eternl Desktop wallet. The attackers use a newly registered domain to distribute a malicious MSI installer that secretly bundles a remote management tool and enables unauthorized access. Victims who run the installer risk having their systems monitored and controlled remotely while believing they are installing a legitimate staking and governance wallet.

South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit identified AML and KYC shortcomings at Bithumb after a March 2025 inspection, moving the process toward sanctions. Penalty details are expected in early 2026, with estimates suggesting a fine that could match or exceed the $25 million imposed on Upbit. Regulators also flagged unverified-user trading and delayed suspicious-activity reporting.

Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs linked ongoing cryptocurrency thefts to the 2022 LastPass breach, saying affected wallets have been drained in waves over months or years. The United States Secret Service last year reported seizing more than $23 million in crypto tied to decrypted vault data. TRM also observed laundering via Wasabi Wallet's CoinJoin.

On January 3 2026, Santiment analyst Brian Quinlivan reported that crypto investor sentiment on social media had turned upbeat to start the year, even as other gauges still signaled fear. With Bitcoin trading near $89,930 after a 1.77% daily rise, analysts said a cautious retail stance could support further gains, while separate forecasts pointed to a possible but short‑lived price rally driven by ETF inflows and January's historically positive returns.

An Australian federal court ordered NGS Crypto to cease offering services after findings that the Gold Coast–linked firm operated without a required financial services license and posed risks to investors. Liquidators from McGrath Nicol have identified $4.4 million in digital assets, while regulators say more than 450 investors put money into the scheme over roughly six years.

South Korean tech companies reiterated concerns on December 28, 2025 as the AI Basic Act nears its January 22 start. Firms say definitions for "high-impact AI" and content labeling remain vague, complicating compliance. A recent survey found only 2% of startups have concrete response plans, while the government intends to suspend fines for a year, a move industry players say won't resolve uncertainty.

On December 27, 2025, NFT sales volume edged down 0.47% to $65.58 million from $67.76 million last week. Market participation rebounded, with buyers up 26% to 292,030 and sellers up 24% to about 205,205, while transactions slipped 0.95% to 869,747. Ethereum sales fell 23.92% to $20.88 million.

On December 27, 2025, Pakistani authorities said they dismantled a $60 million international crypto fraud network and arrested more than 34 suspects. The NCCIA targeted schemes promoted on social media that routed proceeds through bank accounts before conversion to digital assets. The action coincides with PVARA's licensing rollout, including NOCs for Binance and HTX.