Attack Methods: How Criminals Target Crypto Systems

When dealing with attack methods, the techniques used to compromise blockchain platforms, wallets, or exchanges. Also known as crypto attack vectors, it represents a broad set of tactics that undermine security and finance.

One of the most common vectors is cryptocurrency mixers, services that blend illicit crypto with clean funds to hide transaction trails. Often called tumblers, mixers enable money laundering by breaking the link between source and destination addresses. attack methods that rely on mixers are attractive to actors who need to conceal proceeds from sanctions or theft.

Key Attack Vectors Covered

sanctions evasion, the practice of routing transactions through jurisdictions or platforms that are not subject to international restrictions is another hot topic. Nations like the US and EU publish sanction lists, but clever users employ offshore exchanges, peer‑to‑peer networks, or decentralized finance bridges to slip past controls. This evasion technique directly fuels the broader money laundering, the process of making illegally obtained money appear legitimate ecosystem, making compliance teams work overtime.

Alongside evasion, exchange bans, government actions that block access to specific crypto platforms within a country create a cat‑and‑mouse game. When a country bans an exchange, users instantly look for alternatives, often turning to unregulated or offshore services. Those services become fertile ground for money laundering and other attack methods, because oversight is weak and verification steps are minimal.

The interplay between these vectors forms a dangerous feedback loop. Mixers hide the source of funds, sanctions evasion finds new routes, exchange bans push users toward less‑scrutinized platforms, and all of them feed money‑laundering pipelines. Understanding each step helps security teams build stronger AML (anti‑money‑laundering) frameworks and regulators craft smarter policies. For example, tracing mixed coins back to a banned exchange can reveal a chain of illicit activity that would otherwise stay hidden.

Below you’ll find a curated selection of articles that break down each method, show real‑world cases, and offer practical steps to detect and mitigate risks. Whether you’re a trader, compliance officer, or just curious about crypto safety, the posts will give you actionable insight into how these attack methods operate and what you can do about them.