Northern Korean hackers stolen at least $ 600 million in Cryptocurrency in 2023, about a third of the total value of such robbery, according to Blockchain -Instichteringbedrijf TRM.
Despite the eye -watery amount, this figure represents a reduction of 30% on cryptocurrency stolen by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) -bound hackers compared to 2022, at $ 850 million.
The researchers noted that as an extra crypto robbery in the last days of 2023 is attributed to DVK, the total amount that was stolen last year could rise to $ 700 million. This includes an attack on the orbit chain on December 31, 2023, which led to more than $ 80 million in crypto that was taken.
In total, since 2017, TRM researchers believe $ 2.7 billion in crypto stolen by attackers in DVK.
The North Korean government uses Crypto -thefts as a means to generate income in the light of international sanctions aimed at the regime believing experts.
The analysis of TRM also showed that crypto-hacks committed by North Korea are on average 10 times more harmful than those that are not linked to Pyongyang.
How is Noord -Korea going to attack?
The researchers said that North Korean Hackers use innovative tactics to avoid international actions of law enforcement. For example, following American sanctions and enforcement activities against crypto -mixers Tornado cash and chip mixer, groups such as Lazarus turned to other methods to wash stolen crypto funds white.
The primary method used by DPRK-connected attackers to launch crypto robberies, endangers the private keys and seed sentences that are used to protect digital portfolios.
After a compromise, the hackers transfer the digital assets of the victims to a wallet address that is controlled by North Korean agents before changing the currency for USDT or Tron and then converted into hard currency with the help of OTC brokers with high volume.
TRM acknowledged that there have been “remarkable progress” in tackling crypto thefts, including improved security in fairs and increased international cooperation in following and repairing stolen funds.
However, the company predicts that North Korean hackers will remain effective in space in 2024.
“With almost $ 1.5 billion stolen in the past two years alone, the hackiness of Noord -Korea requires continuous vigilance and innovation of companies and governments,” the researchers said.