Scams

On December 18, 2025, DPRK-linked hackers were reported to have taken more than $2.02 billion in crypto since January, lifting their lifetime haul above $6 billion. Total crypto theft in 2025 exceeded $3.4 billion across 158,000 incidents, with at least 80,000 unique victims. A March $1.4 billion Bybit breach underscored the shift to fewer, larger attacks.

According to plaintiffs, a federal judge recently allowed amendments to a complaint first filed in December 2024 over the $HAWK token, which fell 90–95% within hours after peaking around a $500M market cap. The updated filing adds Hailey Welch and other entities, alleging she received $125,000 upfront and $200,000 after promotional milestones.

Senators Elissa Slotkin and Jerry Moran introduced the bipartisan SAFE Crypto Act to strengthen federal responses to crypto fraud. The move follows the FBI's finding that U.S. residents lost about $9.3 billion in 2024, a 66% rise year‑over‑year. The bill would require the Treasury to convene a cross‑agency task force within 180 days.

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Elissa Slotkin introduced the SAFE Crypto Act to establish a federal task force focused on cryptocurrency fraud. The measure seeks coordination across government and private-sector experts to study scam patterns, strengthen prevention, equip local law enforcement with investigative tools, and expand public awareness efforts.

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Elissa Slotkin have put forward the bipartisan SAFE Crypto Act to create a federal task force focused on cryptocurrency fraud. The initiative would bring together the Treasury Department, law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, and private sector experts to address digital asset scams and improve public awareness.

Two U.S. Senators introduced the SAFE Crypto Act on Monday to coordinate the U.S. Treasury, FinCEN, the Secret Service and law enforcement against crypto fraud. The FBI reported $9.3 billion in crypto-related investment scam losses in 2024, a 66% rise, with $2.84 billion affecting those over 60.

São Paulo's Court of Auditors plans to register every document from Brazil's first public real-estate auction on a blockchain, covering the sale of ten warehouses. According to local media, auction platform Nordeste Leilões will run the process with InspireIP to deter fraud and bolster transparency. The government announced on October 21 its updated crypto framework, and BCB's AML/CFT rules are slated to begin in February 2026.

During the holiday period, scammers intensify phishing, fake wallet apps, bogus presales and romance schemes to exploit distracted crypto users and the irreversibility of blockchain transfers. They also run impersonation, recovery and holiday-themed token scams, sometimes aided by AI voice cloning and malicious SDKs that steal wallet phrases. Users can reduce risk by relying on official apps and links, protecting keys, using strong security tools and carefully verifying offers, charities and giveaways.

On December 15, 2025, Bitcoin Bancorp announced plans to deploy up to 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas beginning in Q1 2026. The OTC-traded operator (BCBC) cited Texas' clear rules and strong demand, and its shares rose 7.83% on the day and 29.53% over five days.

On December 15, 2025, ZachXBT stated that Ronald Spektor was arrested in New York for allegedly running a Coinbase support impersonation scam. His November 2024 investigation linked Spektor to a $6.5 million theft targeting a single victim in October 2024. It remains unclear whether any funds have been recovered.