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North Korean Hackers Nab $2 Billion in Crypto Heists

12/18/2025

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

North Korean hackers stole a record $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, according to Chainalysis.
They accounted for approximately 59% of global crypto thefts totaling $3.4 billion.
The largest heist occurred in February 2025, when $1.5 billion was stolen from Bybit.
Experts say hackers embed IT workers in crypto firms to access sensitive information for funding the regime and its weapons programs.

History

Historical Context

The 2014 Sony Pictures hack marked a significant escalation in North Korea's cyber warfare strategy, retaliating against the film "The Interview," which depicted the assassination of Kim Jong-un. This attack, attributed to North Korean hackers, exemplified the regime's use of cybercrime to fund military ambitions, a tactic that has continued with incidents like the $2 billion cryptocurrency theft in 2025.

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Story summary

North Korean hackers stole a record $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, according to Chainalysis.
They accounted for approximately 59% of global crypto thefts totaling $3.4 billion.
The largest heist occurred in February 2025, when $1.5 billion was stolen from Bybit.
Experts say hackers embed IT workers in crypto firms to access sensitive information for funding the regime and its weapons programs.

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