North Korean Hackers Stole $1.3 Billion In Crypto This Year: Report

North Korean hackers stole a record $1.3 billion in cryptocurrencies in 2024, accounting for over half of the $2.2 billion stolen globally this year, according to a study by Chainalysis, João da Silva reported for BBC News.

The rise in crypto theft underscores the need for the industry to address a complex and evolving threat landscape.

The amount stolen by hackers linked to North Korea more than doubled compared to last year. Some of the attacks reportedly involved hackers posing as remote IT workers to infiltrate crypto and technology firms.

The study highlighted that the majority of stolen crypto was due to compromised private keys, which control access to users' assets on crypto platforms.

The report noted a 21% increase in stolen cryptocurrency in 2024 compared to the previous year, though the figures remain below the peaks of 2021 and 2022.

The rise in crypto theft underscores the need for the industry to address a complex and evolving threat landscape, the study concluded. The surge coincided with a more crypto-friendly stance anticipated from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, as Bitcoin's value more than doubled this year.