North Korean hackers stole $2 billion worth of crypto in 2025
Cryptocurrency suffered another bruising year in 2025, as thieves stole more digital assets than ever before. Data show that a significant portion of this amount was embezzled by North Korean hackers, who recorded a record-breaking haul from cryptocurrency crime.
Figures from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis show that more than $3.4 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen between January and early December, making 2025 one of the worst years on record for crypto security.
In February alone, hackers drained around $1.5 billion from the exchange Bybit, accounting for nearly half of all funds stolen this year. This incident highlighted how one breach can now dominate the industry’s annual losses.
Behind much of the damage sits North Korea. Despite carrying out fewer confirmed attacks, hackers linked to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stole at least $2.02 billion in 2025 — a 51% jump from the year before and the highest annual total ever recorded.
North Korean groups were responsible for about 76% of all major service compromises this year. Overall, estimates suggest the country has now stolen at least $6.75 billion in cryptocurrency over time.
Investigators say Pyongyang’s success increasingly relies on deception. Operatives infiltrate crypto firms by posing as IT workers, recruiters, or even investors, using fake job offers and business meetings to gain access.
Evolving method
While eye-catching exchange hacks grab headlines, the pattern of theft is shifting. Attacks on individual users’ personal wallets have risen sharply in recent years, reflecting how everyday investors are increasingly being targeted alongside large firms.
At the same time, centralised crypto services continue to suffer devastating blows. Even with professional security teams, exchanges and custodians remain vulnerable when private keys are compromised. These incidents are rare, but when they happen the losses are enormous.
As a result, crypto crime is becoming more extreme. In 2025, the three biggest hacks alone made up 69% of all losses suffered by services. The gap between a “typical” theft and the largest attacks has never been wider.
This year marked a grim milestone. For the first time, the biggest single hack was more than 1,000 times larger than the median theft, surpassing even the peaks seen during the 2021 crypto boom.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
