North Korean Hackers Break Records in 2025: $2 Billion in Crypto Stolen

Metaverse Planet October 8, 2025Last Updated: October 8, 2025

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North Korean hackers have broken an all-time record in 2025 by stealing over $2 billion in cryptocurrency. According to a report by Elliptic, cyberattacks are now targeting human error rather than technical vulnerabilities.

The blockchain analysis firm Elliptic announced that hackers working on behalf of the North Korean government have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency this year alone. In a blog post published on Tuesday, the company emphasized that this figure is the “highest annual total ever” and was reached with three months still left in the year. According to Elliptic, this amount resulted from more than 30 cyberattacks conducted throughout 2025.

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2022 Record Surpassed

According to Elliptic‘s data, the previous record was set in 2022, when North Korean hackers stole $1.35 billion. The company estimates that the regime has seized at least $6 billion worth of cryptocurrency since 2017. However, the blog post includes a warning:

“The true figure is likely higher. It is not entirely possible to definitively identify North Korea-linked cyber thefts.” Elliptic also notes that there are many attacks with similar characteristics that cannot be directly linked to North Korea due to a lack of evidence, and some cases may still be unreported.

New Target: The Crypto-Rich

hacker man typing on laptop, hacking computer system. male in mask and pullover. unrecognizable incognito male sit in hood and try to breach the security of laptop system. neon smoke in background

According to the company’s statement, North Korean hackers continue to target crypto exchanges as they have for a long time. However, recently, attacks have also been directed at individuals who hold large amounts of digital assets.

A Shift in Focus: The Human Factor

Elliptic states that the majority of attacks in 2025 were carried out using social engineering methods.

“Hackers gain access to crypto accounts by deceiving or manipulating individuals. This is a significant shift from previous years, where attacks frequently exploited technical vulnerabilities.”

This situation shows that the weakest link in crypto security is no longer technology, but people.

Consistent with Global Estimates

Elliptic’s estimates align with other international reports. The United Nations Security Council had previously stated that North Korean hackers stole a total of $3 billion worth of cryptocurrency between 2017 and 2023.

When Elliptic’s figures of $742.8 million for 2024 and $2 billion for 2025 are added, the total amount reaches approximately $6 billion.

State-Sponsored Cyber Theft

The governments of Japan, South Korea, and the United States had also determined that North Korean hackers stole more than $659 million in crypto in 2024.

According to UN reports, the regime led by Kim Jong-Un uses these illegal gains to finance its nuclear weapons program.

Major Thefts and Known Victims

Behind this year’s record is the massive $1.4 billion stolen from the crypto exchange Bybit. According to the FBI and various blockchain researchers, North Korea was also behind this attack.

Previously, platforms such as Axie Infinity ($625 million, 2022), Harmony ($100 million, 2022), and WazirX ($235 million, 2024) were targeted by the same group of hackers.