- Chainalysis report reveals a record $2.17 billion crypto theft by North Korea in 2025.
- Largest single theft: $1.5 billion Ethereum from Bybit.
- Industry calls for coordinated action to combat increased sophistication.
A Chainalysis report reveals that North Korean hackers stole over $2.17 billion in cryptocurrencies in 2025, including $1.5 billion in Ethereum from the Bybit exchange.
This unprecedented cyberattack highlights North Korea’s reliance on crypto hacks, stressing the need for stronger global security measures against escalating threats.
Record $2.17 Billion Stolen by North Korean Hackers
North Korean hackers notably targeted the Bybit platform, employing advanced social engineering tactics to execute the largest cryptocurrency theft in history, stealing nearly $1.5 billion in Ethereum. The Lazarus Group is implicated, utilizing tools like fake IT personas to infiltrate exchanges.
The U.S. FBI attributes the Bybit hack to North Korean operatives, emphasizing the escalating sophistication of their tactics. The impact extends to South Korea’s Upbit platform, which lost $37 million to similar tactics.
North Korea’s Global Cyber Impact and Market Reactions
Did you know? Over the past decade, North Korean hacks have resulted in losses exceeding $6.75 billion, significantly funding their foreign operations and military programs.
CoinMarketCap data shows Ethereum (ETH) trading at $3,007.82, with a market cap of 363.03 billion. The price reflects a 2.30% increase over 24 hours, with a downturn of -27.67% over 90 days.
Ethereum(ETH), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 09:17 UTC on December 29, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCapThe Coincu research team anticipates further regulatory scrutiny and security enhancements across exchanges. Investors may witness emphasized controls and a push for industry-wide cooperation to combat these growing threats.
| DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing. |
Source: https://coincu.com/news/north-korean-hackers-crypto-heist/
