Hackers have seen a significant decline in ransomware payouts, with total earnings dropping by 28% to $820 million in 2025, despite a 50% increase in the number of attacks compared to the previous year. This decrease in payouts can be attributed to the growing number of affected companies and organizations heeding the advice to refrain from paying ransoms. The decline in ransomware revenue is a notable trend, as it suggests that the warnings against paying ransoms are having a tangible impact on the financial gains of hackers. According to a report by Chainalysis1, the total ransomware payout in 2025 was substantially lower than in previous years, indicating a shift in the approach of organizations to dealing with ransomware attacks. The fact that the number of attacks increased while payouts decreased suggests that hackers are becoming less successful in their attempts to extort money from their victims. This shift is likely due to improved security measures and a greater awareness of the risks associated with paying ransoms. So what matters to practitioners is that this trend may indicate a turning point in the fight against ransomware, where the financial incentives for hackers are diminishing, making it a less lucrative business.