Crypto Security: Protecting Your Investments in a Volatile Market

February 2025 was quite the month for the cryptocurrency market, to say the least. Hacks were rampant, and they were costing people a staggering amount—$1.53 billion, to be specific. That’s 18 times the losses from the previous year. So what’s really going on? Let’s break it down.

Centralized Finance Platforms: A Breeding Ground for Hacks

According to a report from the security firm Immunefi, centralized finance platforms were responsible for a jaw-dropping 95.5% of total hack losses. February was particularly brutal, with two major incidents—a $1.46 billion exploit on Bybit and a $49.5 million hack on stablecoin bank Infini—making up over 90% of the total losses. It’s a reminder that keeping user funds all in one place can make you a prime target for hackers.

CEXs vs. DeFi: The Security Showdown

When it comes to security, there’s a clear divide between centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. CEXs might be easier to use and provide customer support, but they’re also much more vulnerable to hacks. On the other hand, DeFi protocols allow you to keep control over your assets, but they can have their own vulnerabilities, especially when it comes to smart contracts.

| Feature | DeFi Protocols | Centralized Exchanges (CEXs) |
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