A recent report by Chainalysis reveals that North Korean hackers have stolen a staggering $1.3 billion in cryptocurrency this year, accounting for more than half of the total $2.2 billion stolen. This figure surpasses last year's haul by more than double ¹.The report suggests that some of these thefts may be linked to North Korean hackers posing as remote IT workers to infiltrate crypto and tech firms. The significant increase in cryptocurrency theft has raised concerns about the industry's ability to address evolving threats.
Key Highlights
Increased Theft: Cryptocurrency stolen by hackers increased by 21% in 2024 compared to last year.
Private Key Compromise: Most crypto stolen this year resulted from compromised private keys.
Notable Incidents: Theft of $300 million in bitcoin from DMM Bitcoin and $235 million from WazirX.
US Government Response: Indictment of 14 North Koreans for extortion and money laundering.
Recommendations
To combat these threats, Chainalysis advises crypto companies to:
Conduct rigorous employee screenings
Provide periodic training
Improve private key hygiene
Foster partnerships with law enforcement
Implement data-sharing initiatives and advanced tracing tools
Source: BBC
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