North Korean hackers stole a record $2.02B in crypto in 2025
North Korea set a new world record for cryptocurrency theft in 2025, stealing $2.02 billion, which accounts for about 60% of the world’s total $3.4 billion in crypto thefts. This is higher than their previous record of $1.3 billion in 2024, raising North Korea’s total cryptocurrency thefts in recent years to $6.75 billion.
Hackers from North Korea operate mostly from within the country, which is largely closed to the outside world. Experts say it is very difficult to stop them because the nation is isolated and operates like a rogue state.
North Korean hackers often steal cryptocurrency with fewer attacks than before, using tactics like impersonating executives or working with IT workers at cryptocurrency companies. Once stolen, the crypto is laundered through services that use the Chinese language and other mixing or bridge protocols, usually taking about 45 days to complete.
Recent reports identify specific thefts, including $14 million from WOO X crypto exchange accounts in July and $1.2 million from the Seedify blockchain platform in September. Analysts say these cybercrimes fund North Korea’s nuclear arms and weapons programs, with about 40% of the stolen money used for military purposes.
The repeated and increasing scale of these attacks shows how North Korean hackers are improving their methods, making cryptocurrency theft a major global concern. International agencies continue to monitor their activities, but the country’s isolation makes enforcement very difficult.
Source : https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/12/18/north-korea-cryptocurrency/7991766105044/ |
