#CryptoScamSurge In 2025, cryptocurrency scams have surged, with losses reaching $2.5 billion in the first half, surpassing 2024’s $9.9 billion total. AI-driven scams, particularly deepfakes, account for 40% of high-value fraud, with 87 scam rings dismantled in Q1 2025. Pig butchering scams, involving romance-based deception, rose 40%, with a $225 million DOJ seizure marking a record. Wallet thefts caused $8.5 billion in losses, driven by phishing and code vulnerabilities, while the ByBit hack alone cost $1.5 billion. Rug pulls, fake exchanges, and pump-and-dump schemes thrive amid memecoin hype. Protection involves using reputable platforms, offline key storage, 2FA, thorough research, and caution against unsolicited offers. The crypto boom, with Bitcoin at $111,880, and lax regulations fuel the surge, urging vigilance.