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Crypto Market Highlights from the First Half of 2025

The global cryptocurrency scene has been anything but dull in the primary half of 2025. A combination of tumultuous and promising events shaped the landscape, with major security breaches juxtaposed against a notable rise in bitcoin millionaires and the proliferation of bitcoin ATMs. A recent report from Finbold, a trusted finance and crypto news outlet, sheds light on these developments.

Crypto Hacks: A Costly Affair

In the primary six months of 2025, crypto hacks led to a staggering lack of US$2.24 billion. Notable incidents include:

• North Korean hackers targeted Bybit, absconding with US$1.5 billion from their cold wallet, a hack now linked to the notorious “TraderTraitor” operations.
• Cetus Protocol, a decentralized exchange, suffered a US$230 million loss on account of a contract vulnerability. They’re offering a US$5 million reward for information on the culprits.
• The Libra meme coin turned out to be an enormous rug pull. After a surge fueled by Argentine President Javier Milei’s endorsement, insiders withdrew US$100 million, causing the token’s value to plummet.

Surge in Bitcoin Millionaires

Despite the setbacks, there’s a silver lining. Bitcoin’s value climbed from US$93,693 to over US$107,000, a 14% increase. This price hike contributed to a 17.2% rise in bitcoin millionaire addresses, hitting 182,327.

Expansion of Bitcoin ATMs

Bitcoin ATMs saw a modest yet positive increase, climbing nearly 3% from 37,722 to 38,726. The United States leads with 30,447 machines, trailed by Canada and Australia. Europe, nonetheless, lags behind with 1,801 ATMs.

The Rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi)

DeFi continues to make waves. The sector has seen significant growth, with Aave’s token up by 74% and Uniswap’s by 38%. The total market cap of leading DeFi tokens surged to US$11.41 billion, driven by evolving regulations and investor confidence.

Memecoins: The New Gateway to Crypto

Memecoins, powered by web culture, are attracting fresh crypto investors. Surveys suggest that many individuals’s first crypto foray is with memecoins like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu, before branching into more established cryptocurrencies.

Europe Takes the Lead in Crypto Growth

Europe is on the forefront of accelerating crypto ownership. The UK and France saw notable upticks in crypto holders, while Singapore and the US experienced more modest growth.

Traditional Finance Meets Crypto

The convergence of traditional finance and crypto is gaining momentum. Circle made a splash on the NYSE, Robinhood expanded its crypto repertoire by acquiring Bitstamp, and Stripe strengthened its blockchain capabilities through its acquisition of Privy.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik

Image Credit: fintechnews.ch