Last year, hackers stole a record $3.8 billion (€3.5 billion) worth of cryptocurrencies. In particular, hackers from North Korea have been very active, according to a report published by blockchain researcher Chainanalysis.
The number of captured digital coins was 15 percent higher than in 2021, when hackers managed to steal $3.3 billion. According to the report, hackers linked to the United States and the North Korean government made off with an estimated $1.7 billion in stolen cryptocurrencies, up from an estimated $400 million in 2021.
North Korean hackers are turning to the crypto market to raise funds amid international sanctions, the US says. The proceeds will be used, among other things, to finance North Korea’s weapons programs.
Last week, the FBI charged two more North Korean cybercrime groups with stealing $100 million in the June hack of the Harmony Bridge crypto service. And Lazarus Group and APT38, online groups linked to North Korea, say they stole about $600 million in cryptocurrencies in March after hacking the video game Axie Infinity.
Source : HLN