Crypto-AlertSecurity Experts Identify 20 High-Risk Apps Targeting Crypto Wallets in 2025

 

Imagine waking up to a nightmare: your cryptocurrency portfolio vanished, with a zero balance staring back at you from your app. This grim scenario is becoming all too real, thanks to a new malware wave discovered by security researchers. 

These malicious apps masquerade as legitimate tools, mimicking wallets and exchanges, and have already swindled over $200 million worth of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptos in 2025 alone. What's even more alarming is that many of these impersonator apps still linger on Google Play and Apple stores, putting users at risk.

Cybersecurity firm SlowMist posted an interesting report regarding 20 top risk apps, which are responsible for:

  • Steal seed phrases when entered

  • Keyloggers, to record your passwords

  • Draining wallets while sleeping

Installed any cryptocurrency software recently? Your funds may now be at the highest risk. So, you should at least have an idea of what to do with and what software to uninstall, while you can.

 

1. Fraudulent Wallet Applications: An Increasing Security Risk in 2025

 

Cybercriminals are exploiting clone versions of popular wallets, including MetaMask and Trust Wallet, that are available on third-party app stores. The clones resemble and function like the original app, but they contain malware that steals your seed phrase. Scammers ran fake wallet scams up 65% this year, according to a report by Chainalysis earlier this year. The victims, according to Google's estimates, lose an average of US$12,000 per incident.

 

How to protect yourself: 

 

  • One should only download wallets from official app stores.

  • Ensure you read the developer name (e.g., "MetaMask LLC" is acceptable).

  • It is advisable not to use applications that request permissions that are not necessary.

 

2. Malware-Based Staking and Mining Apps That Are Fraudulent

 

False mining apps promise substantial profits, yet they install keyloggers that steal your wallet credentials and run them in the background. Kaspersky recently reported that at least 7 counterfeit staking applications have defrauded users of around US$47 million. For instance, someone invested in a counterfeit app known as CryptoEarn Pro, which initially displayed simulated increases to investors' balances but then abandoned them with empty wallets.

 

Universal red flags:

 

  • Any situation that promises profits without risk.

  • Any occasion that requires you to provide your wallet recovery words.

  • Negative feedback on verified-downloaded games or the absence of team members who can be verified or contacted.

 

3. Impersonating Exchange Apps to Phish for Login Details

 

Thieves have used imitation apps that pose as Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken to capture your login credentials. The app captures your login credentials when you log in for the first time; however, it redirects you to a phishing site when the imitation apps request two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that the first quarter of 2025 saw a 90% increase in exchange-related fraud cases.

 

Precautionary measures:

 

  • Utilize whitelisting for withdrawal.

  • Use hardware wallets for large holdings.

  • Bookmark the official exchange URLs to help avoid false links.

 

4. Cleaner Applications Hijacking Wallet Files

 

Apps bearing benign titles such as Storage Booster or Battery Optimizer examine the phone for wallet.dat files, which they then transmit to hackers. In a probe, McAfee found that 12% of third-party app stores had crypto-targeting malware in utility apps.

  • Defensive strategy: Place genuine antivirus software on computers.

  • Keep wallets on air-gapped machines.

  • Check app permissions regularly.

It is recommended to remove the following 20 apps promptly due to security concerns. Security experts have confirmed that these malicious apps are actively stealing cryptocurrency.

1. CryptoX Wallet (MetaMask clone)

2. BitRewards Pro (fake mining app)

3. ETH Manager (staking scam)

4. Binance Lite (phishing exchange)

5. Trust Wallet Pro (fake wallet)

6. Coinbase Trader (2FA bypass)

7. Kraken Lite (address switcher)

8. Bitcoin Miner 2025 (keylogger)

9. Solana Boost (wallet drainer)

10. Polygon Wallet Plus (seed phrase stealer)

11. Ledger Live Pro (fake hardware wallet)

12. DeFi Swap Pro (malicious DEX)

13. WalletConnect Pro (transaction hijacker)

14. PancakeSwap Tools (fake DeFi utility)

15. CoinGecko Tracker (data scraper)

16. Crypto Cleaner (wallet file hunter)

17. Trezor Suite Mobile (fake cold wallet)

18. Phantom Wallet Plus (Solana Drain)

19. MetaMask Pro (seed phrase logger)

20. Blockchain.com Pro (phishing portal)

 

Cryptocurrency Safety Checklist: Act Now or Risk Incurring a Complete Loss

 

Cryptocurrency security is crucial, particularly as we approach 2025. I learned this lesson the hard way when, in just one day, a fraudulent app stole all my life savings. I became a victim, losing $220,000, due to hackers who created a counterfeit version of the CryptoX Wallet app and misled people into using it.
Uninstall any suspicious apps immediately (look at your phone right now).

Use hardware wallets (Trezor/Ledger saves lives).

Double and triple-check the developer details, even for legitimate copies found on a genuine App Store. 

Be cautious when the results are released, as your wallet could be drained even before you finish dinner. It's important to verify information using only official sources. Complacency in this matter has already led to thousands of victims losing millions of dollars this year alone.