Ghosts Wandering in the Dark--North Korea's Crypto Asset Assault Front (2020s-2025)

Ghosts Wandering in the Dark--North Korea's Crypto Asset Assault Front (2020s-2025)

In the 2020s, North Korea began launching state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting virtual currencies. Leading the charge is the Lazarus Group, which reports directly to the government. In 2025, approximately $1.5 billion worth of assets were stolen from Buybit in the United Arab Emirates, and in 2024, $300 million worth of assets were leaked from DMM Bitcoin in Japan. In 2024, $300 million worth of Bitcoin was stolen from Japan's DMM Bitcoin. In addition, fake companies such as "Block Novus" were established in the U.S. to gain access to developers. They used meeting tools and component management sites to gain access to the inside of the company. Many of the stolen assets are believed to have been diverted to national strategies such as nuclear development and missile production. The freedom of virtual currency has also brought about a deep darkness. Ghosts lurking in the shadows of nations are still quietly wandering the world.