Crypto Scams Are On The Rise – How Can Businesses Protect Themselves?

Cryptocurrency fraud and scams are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, and the risk is no longer limited to individual investors. Increasingly, businesses and corporate entities are finding themselves squarely in the crosshairs of scammers looking to exploit gaps in security, governance and knowledge. And not only just in the crosshairs – often, they’re becoming the specific targets.

As organisations of all sizes explore digital assets for payments, treasury management or innovation initiatives, the need to understand and respond to crypto crime has never been more urgent.

According to recent blockchain analytics, crypto scams resulted in more than $2 billion in stolen funds during the first half of 2025, highlighting the sheer scale of the problem. This surge doesn’t just reflect an increase in activity, but a shift in the actual tactics fraudsters are using to deceive victims and, ultimately, steal.

What Crypto Scams Look Like Today

Crypto scams today take many forms, but there are two broad patterns stand out.

Technical exploits involve taking advantage of software weaknesses or insecure wallet infrastructure to directly siphon assets. While these exploits tend to grab headlines when they occur, they really represent only one part of the scam ecosystem.

More commonly, social engineering and impersonation have become central to how scammers operate. Rather than attacking code, fraudsters are targetting human trust – as some would argue, our biggest weakness. They pose as trusted individuals – like executives, partners or support personnel – sending seemingly legitimate messages that coax recipients into authorising fraudulent transfers or disclosing sensitive information. According to industry reports, scammers are now using sophisticated tools that make these impersonations more convincing, increasing the likelihood that even experienced staff may be misled. Less of this amateur phishing and more high-level, sophisitcated scamming.

In some cases, scammers present fake business investment opportunities or fraudulent partnership proposals that appear credible on the surface. These schemes can be particularly damaging for startups and small businesses that may lack stringent vetting procedures for third‑party offers or unfamiliar contacts.

Why Are Businesses Becoming Targets?

There are practical reasons why fraudsters are shifting their focus toward businesses. Companies often hold larger pools of assets than individual retail investors, meaning that a single successful scam can yield significantly higher returns for attackers. When a corporate wallet is compromised or an employee is tricked into authorising a large transfer, the financial impact can be much greater than theft from a personal account. Basically, there tends to be more money.

In addition to larger potential rewards, businesses also present a wider range of attack surfaces. Organisations typically maintain multiple wallets, interact with third‑party custodial services, engage with decentralised finance applications and integrate digital asset technology into broader operational workflows. Each of these connections introduces potential vulnerabilities if not rigorously secured.

Executives and corporate brands also play a role in scammers’ strategies. Impersonating a known leader or a trusted business partner adds credibility to fraudulent communications. When employees believe a message genuinely comes from someone within their own company, they may bypass normal verification procedures, exposing the organisation to risk.

According to security reporting from late 2025 and early 2026, schemes targeting CEOs, finance leads and other corporate figures have risen noticeably, with attackers exploiting both technical tools and psychological pressure tactics to prompt quick, unverified action.

Here’s How Businesses Can Respond and Protect Themselves

Defending against this expanding threat requires a proactive, multi‑layered approach. Technical safeguards like multi‑signature wallet setups can help ensure that no single individual has the authority to move funds unilaterally. Storing substantial holdings in cold, offline wallets reduces exposure to online threats.

Equally important is a strong culture of awareness within the organisation. Since social engineering is a dominant tactic, educating employees about the signs of phishing and impersonation is vital. Training that helps teams recognise suspicious communications and verifies unusual requests before action is taken can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to scams.

Due diligence when working with third‑party crypto service providers is another key element of risk management. Vetting custodians, exchanges and technology partners for their security practices and contractual terms can help prevent exploitation of trusted relationships. Organisations should review security audits, ask detailed questions about risk controls and understand how liabilities are addressed in the event of a breach or fraud incident.

Real‑time monitoring of wallet activity and on‑chain behaviour can also play a really important role in early detection. Analytics tools that identify anomalies – like transfers to unknown addresses or behaviour outside of normal patterns – can alert finance teams before significant damage occurs. After all, better safe than sorry!

Preparing for the possibility of a fraud incident is equally important. Having an incident response plan that outlines legal, operational and communication steps can help organisations react quickly and minimise impact. This includes engaging legal counsel familiar with digital assets, coordinating with custodians and exchanges and documenting the event for regulatory or compliance purposes. Of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to prepare ourselves to deal with something like this, but it’s a very real possibiliy – so the best thing to do is have a “just in case” plan.

Staying informed about evolving regulatory expectations is also an essential part of a responsible approach. Crypto regulation remains in flux in many jurisdictions, and businesses exploring digital asset strategies should be aware of guidance from financial authorities, audit standards and best practices that impact how they manage and report crypto exposure.

Nowadays, Crypto Poses A Risk Businesses Can’t Ignore

The rise in crypto scams and fraud is a clear indication that the digital asset ecosystem, while full of opportunity, carries real and present risk. According to recent industry data, losses from scams in 2025 reached unprecedented levels and early 2026 trends suggest that fraud activity remains robust. For businesses, this means that risk management must be part of any strategy involving cryptocurrency or blockchain‑based operations.

Complacency isn’t an option anymore. As companies innovate with digital assets, they must also build the governance, education and technical controls necessary to safeguard their resources and reputation.

With thoughtful planning, vigilant monitoring and a culture of security awareness, businesses can protect themselves from crypto scams and navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with confidence.