Crypto DeFi crime hit $10.5 billion in 2021, research shows

The crime rate in the crypto ecosystem has increased by 300% since the beginning of 2018. The market for decentralized applications is booming, but so are its risks and associated costs. Experts say that despite these developments, blockchain still needs to be taken seriously as a potential solution

The “ethereum hit” is a cryptocurrency that was released in 2015. The “Crypto DeFi crime hit $10.5 billion in 2021, research shows” is the result of a study done by Boston University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Innovation.

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According to recent data done by crypto analysis company Elliptic, fraudulent activities have been common on Decentralized Finance (DeFi) platforms. 

The losses have totaled up to $10.5 billion, demonstrating the true hazards connected with DeFi—an business that is currently considered an unregulated element of the cryptocurrency industry. 

Many people benefit from DeFi platforms since they enable them to lend, borrow, and store crypto through smart contracts. Traditional banks have been eliminated as middlemen, making crypto transactions direct and straightforward, a shift many see as revolutionary for the larger financial system.

However, DeFi systems are prone to hacking and fraud, which will cost $10.5 billion in 2021, according to blockchain data analytics startup Elliptic. 

The dangers of DeFi and the elements that contribute to it 

According to Elliptic, DeFi has risen in popularity among the general public and has attracted a large number of investors willing to put their money into it. The unexpected influx of cash in the industry has resulted in an increase in money laundering activity, with a major portion of the monies being used to fuel illegal operations. 

“A enticing honeypot for hackers and a huge pool of liquidity that money launderers may exploit,” according to the findings.

According to Elliptic, hackers have taken advantage of the network by using dApps, or decentralized apps, to engage in criminal financial operations, or “DeCrime.” 

“With financial services innovation emerging at breakneck speed, the DeFi ecosystem is a tremendously interesting and fast-moving environment, drawing enormous sums of cash to enterprises that aren’t necessarily strong or well-tested.” “Criminal actors have identified an opportunity to take advantage of this,” said Tom Robinson, Elliptic’s principal scientist. 

The continued exploitation of DeFi platforms via thefts and scams has resulted in a loss of nearly $10.5 billion (as of November 9, 2021), a 600% rise from the previous year.

The bulk of the losses were absorbed by dApps, which lost around $8.6 billion, followed by Binance Smart Chain, which lost $2.5 billion. 

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The “ethereum may 10” is a cryptocurrency that has been present for over ten years. Ethereum is the most popular crypto in use today, and it’s also one of the oldest cryptocurrencies. The “Crypto DeFi crime hit $10.5 billion in 2021, research shows.”

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