Hackers stole $81.7 million from crypto platforms in May 2026, according to new data from security firm PeckShield. This is an 87 per cent drop from April, when losses reached $646.89 million, the highest monthly total so far this year.
#PeckShieldAlert In May 2026, the crypto space saw 40 major hacks totaling $81.7M – an 87.4% MoM decrease from April ($647M).
Cross-chain protocols remained a primary target – with 8 significant #bridge & #crosschain exploits accounting for $33.28M (41%) of the month’s total… pic.twitter.com/Q1vrqXZJt8
— PeckShieldAlert (@PeckShieldAlert) June 1, 2026
Bridge attacks remain a major weak point in crypto systems
A large share of the losses still came from cross-chain bridge attacks. Eight incidents linked to bridges and related protocols accounted for $33.28 million, or about 41 per cent of total stolen funds.
Bridges are tools that allow crypto to move between different blockchains. They are often targeted because they hold large amounts of locked funds and are complex to secure. PeckShield data shows that every month in 2026 has recorded at least one major bridge-related exploit.
Several platforms lose millions in separate attacks
Multiple platforms were hit last month. SUPERFORTUNE888 lost $15.18 million, making it the largest single exploit in May. The Verus-Ethereum Bridge lost $11.58 million, although those funds were later recovered, which is uncommon in crypto hacks.
THORChain lost $10 million and has now appeared in PeckShield’s monthly reports three times this year. Other affected platforms include DxSale, with $7.3 million in losses, TrustedVolumes, with $5.9 million, and Gravity Bridge, with $5.4 million. Several smaller protocols also reported losses between $2.7 million and $3 million each.
Lower losses do not point to stronger security
Although total losses fell sharply compared to April, analysts say this does not necessarily mean the ecosystem has become safer. The drop is largely linked to fewer large-scale attacks rather than meaningful improvements in security.
Bridge systems continue to face the same issues, including complex code structures, inconsistent audits, and weak real-time monitoring. Security experts warn that repeated attacks on platforms like THORChain highlight ongoing weaknesses that have not been fixed.
Overall, the data suggests that while monthly losses may fluctuate, the underlying security risks in crypto remain unchanged. Similarly, a new report from Tiger Research shows crypto-related hacks accelerating in 2026, with at least 12 incidents recorded in April alone. The findings highlight growing pressure on the Web3 sector as repeated breaches continue to expose weaknesses in decentralized finance infrastructure.
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