North Korean cybercriminals stole at least $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, the highest annual total on record, according to a report by Chainalysis. The increase represents a 51% rise from 2024, despite fewer confirmed incidents. The surge was largely driven by major attacks, including a $1.4 billion hack of crypto exchange Bybit.
Chainalysis found that DPRK-linked groups accounted for 76% of all service-level crypto breaches this year, focusing on centralized platforms rather than DeFi protocols. Their laundering methods also stood out, with stolen funds broken into smaller tranches below $500,000 to improve operational security.
The report highlights extensive use of bridges, mixers, and regional over-the-counter networks, particularly in Asia. Analysts noted that most major thefts follow a consistent 45-day laundering cycle, offering critical intelligence for law enforcement seeking to intercept stolen assets before final cash-out.
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