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If a DeFi exploit may have affected you, stop interacting with the suspicious app, report the incident promptly, preserve transaction and communication records, and treat unsolicited recovery offers as a serious scam risk.
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What “recovering” stolen crypto can actually mean
There is no bank-style chargeback for an ordinary completed blockchain transfer. IC3 says cryptocurrency transactions are “irrevocable — meaning they cannot be reversed.” Public blockchain records can help law enforcement trace funds, but a visible trail is not the same as control of the assets or their return. Movement across borders or into overseas exchanges can make tracing more difficult. IC3 cryptocurrency guidance
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Keep the distinction clear: blockchain analytics can help map transactions, but analysis alone does not seize funds. The FBI’s reviewed guidance does not establish a likely recovery percentage for an individual exploit, a universal response deadline, or a standard exchange-freeze procedure. Outcomes depend on the facts, the platforms involved, and the relevant jurisdictions.
What to do after a suspected DeFi exploit
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Stop interacting with the suspected exploit
Do not sign additional transactions or connect to a suspicious site to “verify” or retrieve funds. Never share a seed phrase, private key, password, or one-time code with someone offering help. If a wallet or connected account may still be compromised, use only verified official incident instructions from the project or wallet provider. Consider professional advice before moving any remaining assets if doing so could expose them further.
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Report promptly to the appropriate authorities
For U.S. victims, the FBI encourages reporting suspected DeFi theft to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or a local FBI field office. IC3 says to submit a report even if you do not have transaction details. Reporting can support investigative or intelligence work, but does not guarantee an investigation of every individual complaint or recovery of assets. FBI DeFi exploit alert, August 29, 2022 IC3 reporting guidance, August 24, 2023
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If you are outside the United States, report to your national or local cybercrime authority and seek advice under your local law; the reporting guidance here is U.S.-focused.
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Notify affected projects and exchanges through verified channels
Contact the DeFi project and any centralized exchange that appears to have received or handled the assets. Find contact details from the platform’s verified website or official account, not from an unsolicited message. Provide transaction identifiers and your IC3 or police report reference if available. Ask whether the exchange can review or freeze an account under its policies; do not assume it can reverse the original transfer.
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Preserve the evidence and make a timeline
Keep original records and record times with their timezone. Do not edit screenshots or message exports. Include the first suspicious event, each relevant transaction, and what you did afterward. The FBI asks victims to provide transaction addresses, amounts and types, dates and times, hashes, communications, domains or apps, exchanges, and an incident timeline. IC3 reporting guidance, August 24, 2023
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Evidence to gather for a report
- Your wallet addresses and any suspected recipient addresses.
- Each relevant transaction hash or ID, asset and amount, date and time with timezone, and blockchain network or chain.
- The smart contract, DeFi application, and website or domain involved.
- The wallets, exchanges, and other applications used, including which exchange sent or received funds.
- A chronological account of what happened, starting with the first suspicious transaction and including actions taken afterward.
- Emails, chats, usernames, phone numbers, social media handles, and messages from anyone claiming to offer recovery.
- Relevant wallet prompts or signatures, screenshots, exchange records, and authentication details. Share sensitive details only with official investigators through a legitimate process; never give a recovery contact your credentials.
If you are uncertain whether a transaction or communication matters, include it in your report. IC3 says to report even when transaction information is missing.
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How to assess a recovery offer
Be especially wary of unsolicited “recovery agents,” people claiming to represent law enforcement, paid tracing reports bundled with promises of returned funds, upfront fees, pressure to act immediately, or requests for credentials and sensitive personal information. The FBI says scammers use social media, messaging apps, advertisements, and claims of law-enforcement or legal affiliation. It also states that law enforcement does not charge victims to investigate and that private companies cannot issue seizure orders. FBI/IC3 recovery-firm warning, August 11, 2023
For a purported FBI contact, independently verify it through a local FBI field office. The FBI’s Operation Level Up page says the initiative does not offer recovery services, ask victims to send money, or request login credentials. The initiative addresses cryptocurrency investment fraud; it is not a general case-handling or recovery program for every smart-contract exploit.
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| Contact or service | What it may do | What it cannot promise |
|---|---|---|
| IC3 or law enforcement | Receive a report and potentially support investigation or tracing; availability of action depends on the case. | A case for every complainant or return of funds. |
| Centralized exchange | Review information and may freeze an account through its process or in response to legal process. | Reversal of the original on-chain transfer or a freeze in every case. |
| Private tracing or recovery firm | A tracing service may analyze public transaction records. | Seizure authority or guaranteed recovery. The FBI says private recovery companies cannot issue seizure orders. |
| Civil legal action | A lawyer can assess whether a claim or court process is available under the facts and jurisdiction. | A particular outcome or recovery; this depends on the case. |
What the official figures do—and do not—show
The FBI’s August 29, 2022 DeFi alert cited Chainalysis data reporting $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency stolen between January and March 2022, with almost 97% taken from DeFi platforms. The same alert cited DeFi’s share as 72% in 2021 and 30% in 2020. These are historical figures, not a current estimate of losses or an indicator of any victim’s recovery prospects. FBI DeFi exploit alert, August 29, 2022
Separately, the FBI reported that Operation Level Up had notified 8,103 victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud as of December 2025; 77% were unaware they were being scammed, and estimated savings were $511,511,288. The FBI calculates estimated savings by comparing average reported losses with average losses among contacted victims. Those program-specific investment-fraud figures are not a forecast of recovery for a DeFi exploit victim. FBI Operation Level Up
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