Tracking stolen crypto — How blockchain analysis helps recover funds

Amid the rapid evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the broader Web3 landscape, security is of paramount importance. New threats continue to emerge, making it essential to understand attack patterns for risk assessment and reliability evaluation. In 2023 alone, over $990 million was lost or stolen, according to Cointelegraph’s Crypto Hacks database. 

This growing demand for security has led to the emergence of a diverse ecosystem of Web3 security expertise, ranging from decentralized identity solutions to smart contract auditors, ensuring the safety of this dynamic digital space.

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The Lazarus Group, a state-affiliated hacking group from North Korea, remains a persistent threat. Lazarus was responsible for confirmed losses totaling at least $291 million in 2023. Even as the year progressed into the third quarter, Lazarus remained active and was responsible for the attack on CoinEx, resulting in losses exceeding $55 million, leaving a chilling reminder of the cybersecurity challenges.

Fortifying crypto security with blockchain analysis

Furthermore, even companies sometimes struggle to combat potential hacks and exploits. Accordingly, solo crypto enthusiasts need skills to conduct analysis and research to protect funds. Blockchain analysis is the investigative process of examining blockchain transactions to trace illicit activities and recover stolen assets. Here’s how it works:

1. Transaction tracing: Blockchain analysts meticulously trace blockchain transactions involving stolen cryptocurrency.
2. Address clustering: Analysts group related addresses to identify the flow of stolen funds. This clustering helps to understand how funds move between wallets.
3. Behavioral analysis: Analysts can identify unusual or suspicious behavior that may indicate hacking or theft by studying transaction patterns.
4. Pattern recognition: Analysts use historical data and known attack patterns to recognize emerging threats, allowing for early detection and mitigation.
5. Regulatory vigilance: Governments worldwide are pushing to introduce stricter Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations in crypto.
6. Collaboration: Blockchain analysis often involves collaboration with law enforcement agencies, exchanges, and other stakeholders to freeze or recover stolen assets.

When investigating a cryptocurrency hack, blockchain analysis is one of the tools at an investigator’s disposal. Open-source…