Crypto rug pulls have slowed, but are now more devastating: DappRadar

Crypto rug pulls decreased by 66% year-on-year, from 21 in early 2024 to 7 in early 2025. However, the total losses increased dramatically, reaching nearly $6 billion in 2025, mainly due to one significant event. This contrasts sharply with the $90 million lost in the same period of 2024. The shift indicates fewer, but more impactful, rug pulls. Memecoins are now the primary source of rug pulls, a change from the previous year's mix of DeFi protocols, NFTs, and memecoins. The Libertad project's Libra token exemplifies a recent high-profile rug pull, losing over 94% of its value. Experts warn that rug pulls persist, especially in rapidly growing ecosystems. Red flags include sudden wallet spikes, high volume with low user activity, unverified contracts, and anonymous teams. While eliminating rug pulls entirely is unlikely, user education and improved detection tools can mitigate their impact. The evolution of rug pull tactics necessitates ongoing vigilance and user awareness.