North Korea stole more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, setting a new record for the second year in a row, according to a report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
1/ In the first preview chapter of our 2026 Crypto Crime Report, we look at how North Korean hackers stole $2.02B in crypto during 2025, a 51% increase from 2024, pushing their all-time total to $6.75B: https://t.co/B9l4x1g9VM
— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) December 18, 2025
The study found Pyongyang-linked hackers took $2.02 billion this year, pushing the regime’s total crypto theft to roughly $6.75 billion.
A major share of the losses came from a February hack of Dubai-based exchange Bybit, where about $1.5 billion in mostly ethereum was stolen.
US authorities have linked the operation to North Korea’s elite government-backed hacking units.
💰 North Korea–linked hackers dominated crypto crime in 2025.
— The Hacker News (@TheHackersNews) December 18, 2025
They stole $2.02B, more than half of all crypto taken worldwide, per Chainalysis. One breach at Bybit alone accounted for $1.5B, making this the worst year on record for DPRK theft.
🔗 Here's what the data exposes →… pic.twitter.com/HOwPQLpCWe
The United Nations and private researchers say the stolen funds help finance North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, allowing the regime to bypass international sanctions.
Chainalysis said some thefts involved North Korean hackers securing remote tech jobs to gain access to systems and steal digital passkeys.
Global crypto theft reached $3.4 billion in 2025, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in digital asset security. Experts warn that traditional sanctions have failed to deter Pyongyang’s cyber operations.
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TIPP Staff
