North Korean Hackers Steal $2 Billion in Crypto in 2025, Totaling $6.75 Billion
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 10 2026- Surge in Theft Amount: In 2025, North Korean hackers stole $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency, marking a 51% increase from 2024 and setting a new record for single-year thefts, underscoring their dominance in global crypto theft history.
- Evolution of Attack Strategies: By embedding IT insiders and leveraging social engineering, North Korean hackers focused on high-value service compromises, with approximately 76% of crypto thefts stemming from a few high-impact breaches, indicating a significant shift in their attack strategy.
- Industry Impact: The $2 billion theft highlights the persistent threat posed by nation-state hackers to the crypto industry, particularly exposing vulnerabilities in centralized exchanges and custodial services, revealing systemic weaknesses within the crypto ecosystem.
- Strengthened Response Measures: In response to these threats, regulators, exchanges, and analytics firms are enhancing defenses through improved on-chain monitoring, stricter compliance, and closer cooperation with law enforcement, emphasizing the urgent need for global collaboration.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
