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North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in crypto so far in 2025, researcherssay
North Korean hackers have stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, marking the largest annual total on record, according to blockchain analysis firm Elliptic. This increase in thefts highlights a shift from exploiting technical vulnerabilities to using social engineering attacks. The total stolen since 2017 is estimated at least $6 billion, with funds often linked to funding North Korea's nuclear program.
Key points
- North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in crypto in 2025, recorded by Elliptic.
- This figure surpasses the previous record of $1.35 billion stolen in 2022.
- The total amount stolen by North Korean hackers since 2017 is estimated at $6 billion, though it might be underestimated.
- Recent hacks increasingly target high-net-worth individuals and rely on social engineering tactics rather than exploiting technical flaws.
- Major thefts in 2025 included $1.4 billion from crypto exchange Bybit.
- The stolen cryptocurrency is believed to fund North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
Why it matters
- The trend of rising cryptocurrency thefts aligns with a broader increase in cybercrime and challenges in digital asset security as seen globally in 2025.
- Previous estimates from organizations like the United Nations supported claims of substantial thefts linked to North Korea.
- This escalating focus on high-net-worth individuals signifies a growing sophistication in attacks amidst significant advancements in cyber threat detection.
The staggering sum of over $2 billion in crypto theft by North Korean hackers in 2025 underscores an evolving landscape of cybercrime, emphasizing the pressing need for improved security against increasingly human-targeted methods of theft.