While crypto has revolutionized finance, it's also drawn scammers preying on hopeful investors. Here’s a look at the biggest crypto scams in history and their devastating impact. Read on to learn how to protect yourself! 👇
🔸 10 | Mt. Gox Hack (2014)
Summary: Once the largest Bitcoin exchange, Mt. Gox handled around 70% of all Bitcoin transactions.
What Happened? Hackers stole around 850,000 BTC (valued at $450 million then).
Aftermath: The hack led to tighter regulations and recovery efforts, which are still ongoing with legal cases.
🔸 9 | BitConnect (2018)
Summary: A Ponzi scheme disguised as a high-return investment platform.
What Happened? BitConnect lured investors by exchanging Bitcoin for BitConnect Coins (BCC), promising high daily profits. At its peak, it was worth $2.5 billion.
Aftermath: U.S. regulators intervened, collapsing the scheme and leaving investors with major losses.
🔸 8 | OneCoin (2017)
Summary: Marketed as a “revolutionary” digital currency by Ruja Ignatova, OneCoin didn’t have an actual blockchain.
What Happened? Investors bought “educational packages” and were incentivized to recruit. The scam generated billions worldwide.
Aftermath: Ignatova disappeared in 2017, with many key players later arrested as investigations began.
🔸 7 | QuadrigaCX (2019)
Summary: Once Canada’s biggest crypto exchange, it collapsed after founder Gerald Cotten’s mysterious death.
What Happened? Cotten reportedly held the only keys to $190 million in crypto, but it was revealed that funds were missing even before his death.
Aftermath: Users were locked out of funds, sparking a massive crisis and suspicions around Cotten’s alleged death.
🔸 6 | DAO Hack (2016)
Summary: The DAO raised $150 million in ETH as a decentralized venture fund.
What Happened? A vulnerability was exploited, resulting in a loss of 3.6 million ETH (~$50 million).
Aftermath: Ethereum underwent a hard fork, creating Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC) to recover lost funds.
🔸 5 | PlusToken (2019)
Summary: A Ponzi scheme that targeted investors in Asia, promising high returns.
What Happened? It collected over $2 billion in crypto before collapsing, with operators later arrested.
Aftermath: This massive fraud impacted millions, underlining the dangers of “guaranteed” returns.
🔸 4 | Ronin Network Hack (2022)
Summary: Ronin, an Ethereum sidechain for Axie Infinity, was hacked in one of crypto’s largest breaches.
What Happened? Hackers stole $625 million in ETH and USDC.
Aftermath: Ronin Network ramped up security and initiated user reimbursements.
🔸 3 | Mirror Trading International (2020)
Summary: Claimed to use AI-based crypto trading for high returns but turned out to be a Ponzi scheme.
What Happened? Collapsed when the CEO vanished, affecting 280,000 investors globally.
Aftermath: Authorities uncovered the scam, highlighting the risks in crypto trading schemes.
🔸 2 | Wormhole Hack (2022)
Summary: A blockchain bridge hack led to one of the most significant crypto thefts.
What Happened? Hackers exploited a vulnerability to mint 120,000 fake Wormhole ETH, worth $325 million.
Aftermath: Developers quickly addressed the issue, partially recovering funds through negotiations.
🔸 1 | Thodex (2021)
Summary: A Turkish crypto exchange whose founder disappeared with $2 billion in assets.
What Happened? Founder Faruk Fatih Özer fled, leaving 391,000 users unable to access their funds.
Aftermath: Turkish authorities launched a large-scale investigation, with an international warrant issued.
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🛡️ Crypto Security Tips: Protect Your Investments
Stick to trusted exchanges and wallets.
Be cautious of “guaranteed returns” – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Keep your assets secure with strong passwords and cold wallets when possible.
Crypto is exciting, but vigilance is key! Protect yourself and stay informed. 🧠💪
