Just Had Its Stealing Cryptocurrency

In a shocking escalation of cybercrime, state-sponsored hackers from have stolen over $2.02 billion in cryptocurrencies in 2025 alone. This marks their most lucrative year yet, surpassing previous records by more than 50% compared to 2024. According to blockchain analytics experts, this brings the total haul from crypto thefts linked to the regime since 2016 to a staggering $6.75 billion.

These aren’t random cybercriminals—these are highly skilled operatives backed by a heavily sanctioned nation turning to the crypto ecosystem for funding. With traditional banking channels blocked by international sanctions, cryptocurrency’s borderless, 24/7 nature has become a golden opportunity for funding prohibited programs like nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

The Massive Scale of ‘s Crypto Heists in 2025

The crypto space has always been a playground for hackers, but 2025 has seen unprecedented activity from North Korean groups. Industry-wide thefts reached $3.4 billion through early December, with North Korea-affiliated actors responsible for nearly 60% of that figure.

• Total stolen in 2025: $2.02 billion
• Increase from 2024: Over 50%
• Cumulative since 2016: $6.75 billion
• Industry total thefts: $3.4 billion

What makes this surge so alarming? Experts point to the hackers’ growing sophistication and patience. They’re no longer spraying and praying; they’re meticulously targeting high-value vulnerabilities in exchanges, DeFi protocols, and bridges.

The Bybit Breach: The Biggest Crypto Heist in History

The crown jewel of 2025’s thefts was the late-February attack on Dubai-based exchange Bybit. Hackers siphoned off $1.5 billion in a single breach—the largest crypto theft ever recorded. This event alone accounted for nearly three-quarters of North Korea’s yearly gains.

Bybit users watched in horror as funds vanished, highlighting the fragility of even major platforms. The attackers exploited a critical security flaw, demonstrating advanced techniques like social engineering, zero-day exploits, and supply chain attacks tailored for blockchain environments.

“Crypto heists have become the easiest way for DPRK cyber actors to fund their regime.” – Cybersecurity expert with experience prosecuting such cases

This wasn’t a one-off. North Korean groups like Lazarus have a track record, from the Ronin Network hack to smaller but frequent DeFi exploits.

How North Korean Hackers Evolve Their Tactics

North Korea’s cyber units have leveled up dramatically. Early hacks were brute-force wallet drains, but now they blend phishing, malware, and insider threats with blockchain-specific knowledge.

1. Reconnaissance: Months of patient scouting for weak endpoints.
2. Exploitation: Custom malware targeting hot wallets and private keys.
3. Extraction: Rapid fund movement to evade detection.

The regime benefits from crypto’s explosive growth. As adoption surges—fueled by institutional inflows and policy shifts like the U.S. push to become the “crypto capital of the world”—so do the juicy targets. Higher asset prices mean bigger payouts from the same exploits.

Laundering Stolen Crypto: A Web of DeFi and Cross-Chain Tricks

Stealing is half the battle; cashing out undetected is the real art. Post-Bybit, hackers deployed a labyrinthine laundering scheme:

• Fragmenting funds across hundreds of wallets.
• Cross-chain bridges to obscure trails (Ethereum to Solana, etc.).
• DeFi mixers and liquidity pools for tumbling.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) trades with complicit exchanges.

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has been a boon for criminals. Protocols like automated market makers (AMMs) allow anonymous swaps without KYC, turning dirty crypto into clean fiat or stablecoins.

Recently, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the Treasury and Justice Department to probe how illicit actors exploit DeFi for regime funding, spotlighting the regulatory gaps.

Why Crypto Remains a Prime Target for State-Sponsored Hackers

Cryptocurrency’s appeal to rogue states is straightforward:

“Cryptocurrency creates a unique value proposition for the regime,” notes a leading blockchain intelligence analyst. As the industry matures, so do the threats.

Government and Industry Responses: Closing the Gaps

U.S. agencies have sanctioned wallets and pursued indictments, but enforcement lags. International cooperation is key, yet geopolitics complicates it.

The crypto sector is fighting back:

• Multi-sig wallets and hardware security modules (HSMs).
• AI-driven anomaly detection from firms like Chainalysis.
• Regulatory pushes for better exchange audits.

Despite market dips, 2025 brought policy wins, but security must keep pace with innovation.

What This Means for Crypto Investors and the Future

For everyday users, these hacks underscore the need for vigilance: Use hardware wallets, enable 2FA, avoid shady links, and diversify custodians.

Looking ahead, expect North Korea to refine tactics amid rising adoption. Blockchain forensics will improve, but so will exploits. The cat-and-mouse game defines crypto’s wild frontier.

Key Takeaway: ‘s record year isn’t just a headline—it’s a wake-up call for fortified defenses in the blockchain world.

Stay secure, trade smart, and watch for the next evolution in crypto security.