Cryptocurrency crime drops in 2020 but 'DeFi' breaches rise, study finds

Customers talk against a backboard with signs of cryptocurrency during 2020 Taipei International Finance Expo in Taipei, Taiwan, November 27, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang/Files

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Losses from cryptocurrency theft, hacks, and fraud fell 57% last year to $1.9 billion, as market participants boosted security systems, but crime in the 'decentralized finance' space continued to grow, a report from crypto intelligence company CipherTrace showed.

Criminals got away with a record $4.5 billion in 2019 in the crypto market.