Crypto Hackers Steal $168 Million from DeFi Protocols in Q1 2026

According to DefiLlama data, crypto hackers stole over $168.6 million from 34 decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols in the first quarter of 2026. The largest exploit was a $40 million private key compromise of Step Finance. This figure represents a substantial drop from the $1.58 billion stolen in the same period of 2025, largely due to the $1.4 billion Bybit exploit. However, experts like Nick Percoco, CSO at Kraken, caution that hacks are tied to market cycles and areas of high liquidity, increasing during bull markets and product launches. The threat landscape includes North Korea-linked actors, sophisticated groups, and opportunistic hackers, all targeting accessible value. Experts predict an increase in credential theft, social engineering, and AI-powered attacks in 2026.

(Source：Cointelegraph)