North Korean Hackers Stole $2.02 Billion in Cryptocurrency in 2025, a Record
In 2025, hacking groups linked to North Korea stole a record $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency — the largest yearly total on record. The breaches targeted decentralized finance protocols, cross-chain bridges, and exploitable wallets, underscoring the persistent risks facing the digital asset ecosystem.
Scale and Scope of the Thefts
Security analysts report that the majority of the stolen funds were siphoned through advanced exploit techniques on vulnerable smart contracts and cross-chain bridges. High-profile attacks disrupted liquidity and drained assets from multiple blockchains.
- Exploit of DeFi protocols with flawed or unaudited code.
- Manipulation of cross-chain bridges using flash loan attacks.
- Compromised wallets with weak multi-signature protections.
How North Korean Groups Operate
North Korean cybercriminal networks, such as Lazarus Group, are known for their systematic targeting of financial systems and digital platforms. Using a blend of technical sophistication and operational secrecy, these groups transfer stolen assets through complex laundering chains to evade tracking and enforcement.
Industry Response and Mitigation
In response to the surge in thefts, blockchain security firms and exchanges have stepped up monitoring and risk mitigation strategies. These include enhanced auditing practices, real-time threat detection, and accelerated patch deployment on vulnerable protocols.
Regulatory and Law Enforcement Action
International agencies are collaborating to freeze illicit crypto flows linked to sanctioned entities. While coordination has improved, attribution and recovery of stolen crypto remain challenging due to decentralization and anonymity features built into many blockchain systems.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or security advice.
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