A new report from Swiss blockchain analytics company Global Ledger reveals that over $3.01 billion was stolen across 119 crypto hacks in the first half of 2025, surpassing the total for all of 2024. Laundering now happens in minutes, often before a hack is even disclosed.

Hackers are getting faster at laundering stolen crypto, with 31.1% of laundering completed within 24 hours. Attackers often have a 20-hour head start before hacks are noticed, moving funds 15 hours after a breach on average. Only 4.2% of stolen funds were recovered in the first half of 2025.

15.1% of all laundered crypto in the first half of 2025 passed through centralized exchanges (CEXs). Compliance teams often have just 10–15 minutes to block suspicious transactions before funds are lost. CEXs remain the most targeted entry point for attackers, responsible for 54.26% of total losses in 2025.

The ongoing trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm highlights a shift in how regulators view responsibility in crypto. Storm is facing charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, for allegedly facilitating over $1 billion in illicit transactions. His case could set a precedent for open-source development and privacy tools.

Read more at Cointelegraph: $3B Laundered Faster Than Ever.