NEW YORK. The cryptocurrency market has faced the most sophisticated cyberattack in recent years. According to Barron's, in June and July 2025 alone, the Phantom Thief virus siphoned off more than $210 million from user wallets worldwide. Over 61,000 victims have been identified so far—and the real number may be much higher. Wallet balances—an illusion
“This is a new level of fraud. Users rely on the displayed balance, but in reality, the wallet has been emptied,” said Alana Kim, Head of Cyber Threats at SentinelGuard.
App Store and Google Play under suspicion The exact sources of the virus’s spread have not been established. However, Barron's investigation revealed that most infected apps were downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Infections most frequently occurred through new wallets and DeFi applications that appeared in official stores early this summer.
“We’re seeing explosive growth in reports from iOS and Android users who downloaded apps even from official sources,” noted Charles Mendoza, ChainTrace Analytics.
How to check your wallet As of now, the only reliable way to verify your wallet is to use the free Malwarebyte Phantom Check tool. You can run a scan via the QR code below or through the link in this article. The service analyzes wallet behavior without requiring any private information.
With the number of malicious wallet attacks increasing daily — even through apps from official stores — security experts strongly recommend regular wallet analysis. Malwarebyte Phantom Check reviews your transaction history in seconds, detects suspicious patterns, and warns about potential threats before they can do any damage. Its built-in protection actively blocks known viruses and attack schemes, significantly increasing the safety of your funds. Detailed information and real-world examples of detected threats are available on the official Malwarebytes website.
“The check takes no more than 30 seconds, is completely anonymous, and doesn’t require installing any software on your device,” said Anna Green, Malwarebyte.
Personal stories and the industry’s response David Hoffman, an entrepreneur from Texas:
“I downloaded a mobile wallet from Google Play. My balance was showing, but I couldn’t transfer any funds. I checked my address on the blockchain—everything was gone, nearly $75,000. I never thought this could happen.”
Maria Sanders, crypto influencer:
“This is the worst-case scenario for any crypto holder. Everything looks normal on-screen, but in reality—there’s nothing.”
Changpeng Zhao, CEO of Binance:
“Don’t rely solely on your wallet’s interface. Always verify your assets through blockchain explorers. We recommend everyone use Malwarebyte for a security check.”
Protection tips
- Use hardware wallets to store large amounts.
- Regularly compare balances in your apps with blockchain explorer data.
- Use official verification services like Malwarebyte Phantom Check.
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