Crypto Theft Tops $2 Billion in 2025 — It Might Be Time to Rethink Your Wallet

Anyone who owns crypto is familiar with that quiet but lingering worry about losing it all in a single moment.  And the worry isn’t misplaced either, considering it has happened time and again with many unsuspecting victims throughout the short history of the asset class. 

Exchange freezes, phishing scams, and wallet drainers continue to wipe out balances without warning. So, the threat is very much real, and those who take it seriously, as they should, eventually have to rethink how they store their crypto. 

Once that reality sinks in, the next step becomes obvious: finding a way to secure assets without relying on hot wallets. Hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor are an option, but they usually tend to be on the pricier side. The question, therefore, is whether there are any affordable alternatives you can actually trust. Before getting to that, let’s take a quick look at the root of the problem.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Billions in crypto thefts highlight the urgent need for stronger, offline storage solutions.
➤ Hot wallets and exchanges expose users to phishing, freezes, and hacks due to constant online connectivity.
➤ Products like Kraster Wallet offer a simpler, mobile-friendly alternative to complex and expensive traditional hardware wallets.
➤ Kraster’s card-based design and 24/7 support combine cold storage security with everyday usability and accessibility.

Why storage matters more than ever

Over $2.17 billion has reportedly already been stolen from crypto services by mid-2025. For perspective, that’s more than all of 2024 combined. 

What’s worse, that figure could climb even higher by year’s end, considering that a recent Elliptic report found that North Korean hackers alone have stolen more than $2 billion in 2025 — and the year is still far from over.

Despite all the looming threats, many crypto users still keep their assets on platforms that technically control their keys — or in mobile wallets that stay online around the clock. 

So, all things considered, cold wallets remain the safest option so far by a huge margin. The only drawback is that high prices and complex setup processes have kept them out of reach for most users. 

However, as the market matures and regulators increase pressure on centralized platforms, the demand for secure, affordable, and easy self-custody has become hard to ignore. 

The problem with traditional hardware wallets

We have already covered the cost factor, but that’s not the only limitation most hardware wallets have, including even the big names. 

Devices like Trezor and Ledger set a high bar for security, but their setup can be somewhat challenging for new users.

For instance, you have to initialize the device, confirm multiple steps, and stay connected to a desktop app for certain processes, especially on iOS. The overall process can feel slow and slightly technical for some new users, especially if you compare it to mobile-first options.

Furthermore, DeFi access also tends to run through third-party wallets like MetaMask or WalletConnect, which adds extra steps between signing and execution. And while touch-screen models improve usability, confirming actions on small screens can still feel clunky next to the simplicity of a phone interface.

Put simply, most people just want secure self-custody without extra hardware steps or reliance on desktop tools. That’s the gap that new and evolving solutions like Kraster Wallet aim to fill.

With its card-sized form factor and app-based control, Kraster offers a familiar user experience while maintaining cold storage security.

We use Kraster here as an example to show how new, more practical options are emerging in the hardware wallet space. In this quick review, we look at how Kraster Wallet’s design simplifies self-custody while keeping the protection of a true cold wallet.

Kraster Wallet at a glance

Let’s first have a quick look at the Kraster Wallets before we get into the details:

• Design: Credit card–sized hardware wallet that connects to a mobile app.
• Security: Stores private keys directly on the card, fully offline and protected from hacks or phishing.
• Backup: Available in packs of two or three identical cards for easy redundancy. You can also set up a seed phrase, which serves as an additional way to restore access to your wallet.
• Coverage: Supports 100+ networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and TON.
• Price: $45 for a two-card set, $60 for a three-card set.
• Experience: Combines cold-wallet security with a simple, mobile-first interface for full control and portability

Now that you have a basic idea of what Kraster Wallet offers, let’s take a closer look at the real problem it’s built to solve: the growing risks around crypto storage and why it matters more than ever.

What makes Kraster Wallet different

Kraster Wallet takes a different approach to how cold storage can work in everyday use. 

It comes as a sleek plastic card, about the size of your bank card. Inside that card lies your private key — stored securely and never exposed online. Every transaction requires the card itself, so even if someone accesses your phone, they can’t move your funds without it. 

Setting up takes only a few minutes. You can choose a two-card or three-card set, and each card holds the same private key to ensure continued access even if one is lost. 

The companion mobile app then becomes your control center. You can send, receive, swap, label transactions, and track balances across 100+ supported networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and TON. 

Kraster also seems keen on standing out for practicality, considering its cards are built to last at least 25 years. Also, the competitive pricing (a two-card pack costs $45 and a three-card pack costs $60) makes it far more accessible than traditional hardware wallets. 

Most importantly, it pairs cold-wallet security with the comfort and speed of an app you already know how to use. It feels like a hot wallet, behaves like a cold one, and costs a lot less than popular alternatives.

Kraster Wallet security 

The Kraster team insists that security has been a central part of Kraster Wallet’s design from day one — not an afterthought. 

“Kraster Wallet protects your digital assets from hacks, phishing, and scams — as if they never left your pocket,” says Dmitro, Head of Product at Kraster

That protection starts at the hardware level. The custom chip inside each card isolates your private keys completely from the internet. They never leave the card or pass through the mobile app.

Each transaction requires the card’s physical presence, along with a PIN or biometric check. This ensures that your funds stay locked even if someone gains access to your phone. There’s no server-based custody or backdoor. In fact, not even Kraster itself can view or recover your wallet data. 

Firmware and app layers are built with the same zero-trust mindset, minimizing every possible attack vector.

The multi-card structure adds another layer of protection. Because every card in your set carries the same private key, you are never at risk of losing access entirely. If one card goes missing, the others instantly restore control. 

This blend of physical security, cryptographic isolation, and personal autonomy makes Kraster a rare mix of simplicity and defense — hardware security that feels effortless.

Kraster security in a nutshell:

• Offline keys: Private keys stay sealed inside the card, never online.
• Physical check: Every transaction needs the card plus PIN or biometrics.
• Full control: No servers, no recovery keys — only you have access.
• Zero-trust design: Firmware and app reduce every attack surface.
• Backup cards: Extra cards restore access if one goes missing.

Familiar UI and UX

Kraster Wallet shows that secure storage can also be straightforward. Its companion app uses a familiar layout, similar to common mobile wallets, which makes navigation intuitive even for most first-time users. 

You can view balances, label transactions, review gas fees, and filter assets across supported networks without leaving the main screen.

The app integrates essential wallet functions such as buying, receiving, and swapping crypto, with each transaction verified through the physical card before it completes. There are no background processes or cloud connections — all activity stays visible and under your control.

According to [Executive Name], Kraster’s Head of Product, the goal was to balance usability with strong security standards. The result is an interface that feels accessible while still maintaining hardware-level protection. 

24/7 human support — a rare promise in crypto

Many hardware wallet makers stop at the sale. If you get stuck during setup or lose access, you are usually left scrolling through forums or waiting on automated replies. 

Kraster promises to take a different route with a user-first support model that runs 24/7. The team assures that it will always be available to guide you through setup, syncing, or advanced features — no chatbots, no long ticket queues. 

And judging by the feedback available so far, your questions are likely to be answered by a real person who understands both the tech and the urgency. 

Future roadmap: From your wallet to your body

The Kraster team is reportedly working on a new innovation that could take the idea of self-custody to a whole new level. 

The company is currently developing an implantable chip that can sit safely under the skin — so a hardware wallet that literally stays with you. 

The concept aims to make private key loss impossible by merging digital security with physical permanence. Early prototypes focus on medical-grade materials and cryptographic integrity to ensure both safety and resilience. 

If successful, it could eliminate the last point of failure in self-custody: human error. While the implant is still in early development,  it shows where self-custody could eventually be heading: total personal control.

Is Kraster Wallet the right fit for you?

The answer ultimately depends on what you value most. If you want true cold storage without paying premium prices or dealing with complicated setups, Kraster Wallet promises a balanced and practical alternative.

It gives you hardware-level protection, mobile convenience, and clear control over your assets so you don’t have to rely on exchanges or cloud backups. 

So, all things considered, this Kraster Wallet review underlines that the product neatly fills a gap many users have felt for years: simple, reliable self-custody that just works. If that aligns with how you manage your crypto, Kraster is definitely an option worth considering.

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