04.06.2026

According to an analytical company, approximately $2.2 billion was stolen from crypto platforms in 2024. The number of individual incidents also increased—from 282 to 303. And as early as 2025, the FBI reported one of the largest attacks on a cryptocurrency exchange: the perpetrators stole approximately $1.5 billion in virtual assets.
These cases demonstrate that weak security measures can cost billions. For crypto exchanges, the risks have long gone beyond simply protecting wallets or private keys. Modern platforms handle fiat currencies, integrate banking services, connect payment gateways, and allow users to top up their balances with a credit card.
Where card payments appear, a separate area of responsibility also emerges—the protection of payment data. This is where PCI DSS becomes not a formality, but a part of the stable operation of the business.

Why do crypto exchanges remain targets for attacks?

Cryptocurrency exchanges handle considerable volumes of transactions, personal data, and access data daily. For cybercriminals, this is the main target: one successful incident can open access to funds, accounts, internal systems, or payment infrastructure.
At the same time, attacks on crypto services are often aimed at more than just stealing assets. Attackers may try to compromise:
● administrative accesses;● API—Application Programming Interface;● web applications;
That's why point solutions are no longer sufficient. Exchanges need systematic control: who has access to critical systems, how payment data is protected, how security is monitored, how vulnerabilities are checked, and how quickly the company responds to incidents.

What is PCI DSS, and when does it apply to a cryptocurrency exchange?

PCI DSS is an international standard for payment card data security. It sets mandatory rules for companies that store, process, or transmit cardholder data.
If the platform only works with cryptocurrency transfers and doesn't accept card payments, PCI DSS might not be a direct requirement.
But the situation changes as soon as the exchange connects bank card payments. For example, if a user can top up their balance with a card, buy cryptocurrency via Visa or Mastercard, or pay through a card gateway, the company falls under the scope of PCI DSS.
Even if card data is processed by a third-party provider, the exchange's responsibility does not disappear. The exchange still needs to control the security of integrations, web applications, APIs, administrative access, and processes that could affect card payments.

Why is PCI DSS important even without a direct requirement?

For banks, acquirers, payment providers, and international partners, PCI DSS is a clear way to assess how securely a company handles payment data. That's why partners may require proof of compliance, an audit, or the completion of a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ).
PCI DSS is more than compliance. Even without a standard requirement, its implementation helps avoid data breaches, fraud, and attacks on the payment infrastructure.
For a cryptocurrency exchange, this has a practical business advantage. The company gains the ability to control the flow of payment data, identify systems involved in transactions, manage access to the payment environment, and assess the impact of third-party services on security. This simplifies working with partners, speeds up checks, and reduces the risk of unpleasant incidents during audits.

The reputational cost of the incident

For a cryptocurrency exchange, a security incident is not just a technical problem. The consequences are quickly spreading into the business sphere. And they can be devastating: loss of user trust, payment blocking, fines, pressure from partners, and difficulties with banks. In the financial sector, reputation directly impacts a company's ability to scale.
That's why payment security needs to be manageable. A cryptocurrency exchange must ensure not only the protection of digital assets but also the security of its card infrastructure.

Where should the preparation for PCI DSS begin?

The first step is to define the scope of the standard. The company must determine whether it stores, processes, or transmits card data and which systems affect payment security.
Thereafter, it's worth analyzing the payment architecture: the services involved, integrations with providers, access rights, monitoring processes, logging, change management, and incident response.
This approach helps not only to prepare for an audit. It allows you to assess which processes are already working, where there are gaps, and which risks need to be addressed first.

PCI DSS is part of the resilience of the crypto business

PCI DSS is important for crypto exchanges that handle payment data or plan to integrate with banks, acquirers, and payment providers. For such platforms, compliance with the standard becomes not only a requirement of the payment industry but also a part of stable business operations.
Adhering to the standard helps businesses structure their payment environment, strengthen control, and pass partner audits without risks.
Start preparing for PCI DSS by assessing your payment infrastructure. Leave a request for a consultation! The GetPCI team will help you define the scope of responsibility, identify potential risks, and create a practical action plan to pass the audit.