Crypto drainers rented for $100 now marketed at tech fairs

Crypto drainers, a type of malware designed to steal digital assets, have become widely accessible in 2025 as they are now openly marketed at IT industry events and sold through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for as little as $100 to $300 USDT (CRYPTO:USDT).

According to an April report from AMLBot, the adoption of the drainer-as-a-service (DaaS) approach has significantly lowered the technical barrier for cybercriminals, making it possible for individuals with little or no coding experience to participate in cryptocurrency theft.

“Scamming no longer requires coding knowledge,” said AMLBot CEO Slava Demchuk, noting that online communities now provide guides and tutorials for newcomers to the drainer ecosystem.

The professionalisation of these operations is evident, with some groups, such as CryptoGrab, reportedly setting up booths at technology conferences to promote their services.

Demchuk attributes this boldness to the permissive environment in jurisdictions like Russia, where cybercrime enforcement is minimal if local citizens are not targeted.

“Hacking is practically legal if it doesn’t target local citizens,” as Demchuk explained.

The prevalence of crypto drainers has surged sharply.

Kaspersky reported a 135% increase in dark web discussions about drainers, from 55 threads in 2022 to 129 in 2024.

These forums cover topics ranging from buying and selling malware to recruiting developers and assembling distribution teams.

Drainers are often distributed through phishing sites, fake airdrops, malicious browser extensions, and deceptive ads, exploiting well-known wallet and exchange brands to lure victims.

In 2024, crypto drainers were responsible for nearly $500 million in losses, affecting over 332,000 victims, according to industry reports.

Security experts predict that the interest in and use of crypto drainers will continue to grow in 2025, driven by their ease of access and the evolving tactics of cybercriminals.

“Crypto enthusiasts need to be more vigilant than ever,” said Kaspersky’s Alexander Zabrovsky, who emphasised the importance of robust security measures and ongoing education to counter these threats.