Hackers Now Prefer Bridges Over Mixers
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2025 12:41 am
There’s been a major shift in how crypto hackers launder stolen funds in 2025. Instead of relying on mixers like Tornado Cash, attackers are now using cross-chain bridges—and they’re doing it faster than ever before.
In the first half of the year, hackers stole over $3 billion across more than 100 incidents. Of that, about $1.5 billion was laundered through bridges, while only a fraction—around $339 million—went through traditional mixers. That’s a massive change from previous years when mixers were the go-to method.
So why the change? Speed and flexibility. Some bridge-based laundering routes allow funds to be moved across chains in under four seconds. Full cycles of laundering can now happen in under three minutes. In many cases, hackers complete the process before the breach is even noticed, making it nearly impossible for authorities to react in time.
Interestingly, despite the rise in decentralized tools, centralized exchanges are still the primary cash-out method. Nearly half a billion dollars in stolen funds have ended up on centralized platforms so far this year. In contrast, decentralized protocols are used far less for final withdrawals.
Recovery rates remain dismal—only about 4 to 5 percent of the stolen crypto has been recovered or returned. The rest is either being held, moved, or quietly liquidated over time.
Mixers have seen a steep drop in use, especially since stricter regulations kicked in. Services like Tornado Cash, once dominant, have lost most of their volume as attention shifts to newer, less-regulated channels.
The takeaway? Bridges are now the top choice for laundering—fast, efficient, and much harder to track. This shift poses a big challenge for blockchain security and regulation going forward.
What’s your take? Can bridge protocols be better monitored, or is this just the new normal in crypto crime?
In the first half of the year, hackers stole over $3 billion across more than 100 incidents. Of that, about $1.5 billion was laundered through bridges, while only a fraction—around $339 million—went through traditional mixers. That’s a massive change from previous years when mixers were the go-to method.
So why the change? Speed and flexibility. Some bridge-based laundering routes allow funds to be moved across chains in under four seconds. Full cycles of laundering can now happen in under three minutes. In many cases, hackers complete the process before the breach is even noticed, making it nearly impossible for authorities to react in time.
Interestingly, despite the rise in decentralized tools, centralized exchanges are still the primary cash-out method. Nearly half a billion dollars in stolen funds have ended up on centralized platforms so far this year. In contrast, decentralized protocols are used far less for final withdrawals.
Recovery rates remain dismal—only about 4 to 5 percent of the stolen crypto has been recovered or returned. The rest is either being held, moved, or quietly liquidated over time.
Mixers have seen a steep drop in use, especially since stricter regulations kicked in. Services like Tornado Cash, once dominant, have lost most of their volume as attention shifts to newer, less-regulated channels.
The takeaway? Bridges are now the top choice for laundering—fast, efficient, and much harder to track. This shift poses a big challenge for blockchain security and regulation going forward.
What’s your take? Can bridge protocols be better monitored, or is this just the new normal in crypto crime?