Crypto in Crisis

Crypto is currently experiencing what Mintology CEO Zach Burks refers to as “crime season,” where hacks and illicit activities are eroding investor confidence.

As of 2025, over $2.2 billion in cryptocurrency has been stolen, including a significant $1.5 billion heist attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. In a statement to crypto.news, Burks expressed that the surge in crime is detrimental to markets and constitutes a national security threat.

> “The increased perception of crime in crypto has caused the meme coin market to crash by 56% since December,” Burks stated. “Meanwhile, Bitcoin has seen a decline from $106,000 to $83,000, with the potential to drop to $72,000 in the upcoming weeks.”

He urges investors, particularly those invested in meme coins, to prepare for ongoing volatility in the next six weeks.

Regulation Won’t Solve Crypto’s Crime Problem

Burks asserts that traditional regulatory bodies such as the SEC and FCA are not adequately equipped to address crypto-related crimes. He criticized these agencies for being ineffective in recovering stolen crypto funds and for fostering bureaucracy that strays from the original purpose of cryptocurrency.

According to Burks, a decentralized, community-driven approach is necessary. He advocates for a network of community-led individuals, like Zach XBT, to tackle illicit transactions and restore trust in crypto to prevent the loss of capital forever.

Burks emphasizes that this issue isn’t just about protecting individual investors; it’s also a matter of national security. He believes that relying on politicians and bureaucratic solutions won’t resolve the problem. What’s needed are crypto pragmatists willing to fight for equal treatment in the industry.