North Korean Hackers Have Stolen $2 Billion in Crypto This Year: Report
North Korean hackers have stolen $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency so far in 2025, a 51% increase from 2024 and the largest annual amount on record. These thefts account for 59% of the $3.4 billion in total crypto stolen this year. While the number of attacks has dropped, their severity has increased, exemplified by the $1.5 billion Bybit hack in February. North Korean hackers show a consistent pattern, including a three-wave, 45-day-long laundering process involving Chinese-language services, cross-chain bridging, and crypto mixers. They are also targeting the industry by attempting to gain insider access to exchanges, often using advanced deception tactics such as AI-generated videos. Additionally, they infiltrate projects through tainted public code libraries. Crypto exchanges, especially Binance, report daily attempts by North Korean hackers to get hired and have implemented intelligence sharing to counteract this threat. The report warns that North Korea uses unique methods, combining theft with state objectives, and underscores the need for heightened vigilance and improved detection in the industry.
