"North Korean Hackers Stole $600m in Crypto in 2023"

According to security researchers at blockchain intelligence firm TRM, North Korean hackers stole at least $600m in cryptocurrency in 2023.  The researchers noted that this figure represents a 30% reduction on cryptocurrency stolen by Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) linked hackers compared to 2022, at $850m.  The researchers did note that if additional crypto heists committed in the final days of 2023 are attributed to DPRK, the total amount stolen last year could rise to as much as $700m.  This includes an attack on Orbit Chain on December 31, 2023, which led to more than $80m worth of crypto being taken.  In total, the researchers believe that $2.7bn worth of crypto has been stolen by DPRK-based attackers since 2017.  The researchers believe that the North Korean government uses crypto thefts as a means of generating revenue in the face of international sanctions targeting the regime.  The researchers' analysis also found that crypto hacks perpetrated by North Korea are, on average, 10 times more damaging than those not linked to Pyongyang.

Infosecurity Magazine reports: "North Korean Hackers Stole $600m in Crypto in 2023"