Crypto security incident losses reach $1.26 billion in Q3 2026
Data from CertiK shows a 53.9% increase in losses compared to the previous quarter, driven by major exchange hacks.
Quick Look
- Crypto security incidents caused $1.26 billion in losses during Q3 2026, a 53.9% quarterly rise.
- The Bitget exchange hack, resulting in $387.5 million in losses, was the largest single incident recorded by CertiK, followed by exploits at Liquid Network and Tectonic.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
CertiK tracks blockchain security incidents and financial losses across the crypto industry.
Losses from crypto security incidents climbed to $1.26 billion in the third quarter of 2026, largely driven by the $387.5 million hack of crypto exchange Bitget.
Losses rose 53.9% from $819.4 million in Q2, while the number of security incidents increased about 13% from 219 to 247, according to data from blockchain security company CertiK.
The Bitget hack accounted for about 31% of Q3 losses, making it the quarter’s largest recorded incident under CertiK’s methodology. Liquid Network’s $319 million exploit on Sept. 6 ranked second, followed by Tectonic at $120 million and the $112.7 million Coldcard theft.
CertiK recorded roughly $769 million in losses across 99 security incidents in September. About $273 million was frozen or returned, leaving adjusted losses of $495.3 million. Across 58 incidents, exploits accounted for $734 million, or nearly 96% of the month’s losses.
Bitget detected unauthorized transfers from some of its hot wallets on Sept. 24 and suspended withdrawals. The company said attackers exploited a vulnerability in a third-party security product to obtain internal credentials and forge withdrawal commands.
Open Questions
- What specific third-party security product was compromised?
- Will Bitget users be fully compensated for the losses?
