{"id":30579,"date":"2025-10-08T10:39:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T10:39:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/?p=30579"},"modified":"2025-12-29T11:44:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T11:44:02","slug":"north-korean-hackers-break-records-in-2025-2-billion-in-crypto-stolen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/north-korean-hackers-break-records-in-2025-2-billion-in-crypto-stolen\/","title":{"rendered":"North Korean Hackers Break Records in 2025: $2 Billion in Crypto Stolen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

The blockchain analysis firm Elliptic<\/strong> announced that hackers working on behalf of the North Korean government have stolen more than $2 billion<\/strong> in cryptocurrency<\/strong> this year alone. In a blog post published on Tuesday, the company emphasized that this figure is the \u201chighest annual total ever<\/strong>\u201d and was reached with three months still left in the year. According to Elliptic<\/strong>, this amount resulted from more than 30 cyberattacks conducted throughout 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2022 Record Surpassed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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According to Elliptic<\/strong>‘s data, the previous record was set in 2022<\/strong>, when North Korean hackers<\/strong> stole $1.35 billion<\/strong>. The company estimates that the regime has seized at least $6 billion<\/strong> worth of cryptocurrency<\/a><\/em><\/strong> since 2017. However, the blog post includes a warning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe true figure is likely higher. It is not entirely possible to definitively identify North Korea-linked cyber thefts.\u201d Elliptic<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New Target: The Crypto-Rich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to the company’s statement, North Korean hackers<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Shift in Focus: The Human Factor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Elliptic<\/strong> states that the majority of attacks in 2025 were carried out using social engineering<\/strong> methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHackers gain access to crypto accounts by deceiving or manipulating individuals. This is a significant shift from previous years, where attacks frequently exploited technical vulnerabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This situation shows that the weakest link in crypto security is no longer technology, but people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Consistent with Global Estimates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Elliptic<\/strong>\u2019s estimates align with other international reports. The United Nations Security Council<\/strong> had previously stated that North Korean hackers<\/strong> stole a total of $3 billion worth of cryptocurrency<\/strong> between 2017 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Elliptic<\/strong>\u2019s figures of $742.8 million for 2024 and $2 billion<\/strong> for 2025 are added, the total amount reaches approximately $6 billion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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State-Sponsored Cyber Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

According to UN reports, the regime led by Kim Jong-Un<\/strong> uses these illegal gains to finance its nuclear weapons program<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Major Thefts and Known Victims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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