North Korea becomes one of the largest Bitcoin holders in the world

There are several ways to increase your Bitcoin treasure. Some, such as Salvador or Microstrategy, prefer to buy at regular intervals. Others, like Bhutan, bet on mining to accumulate BTC. But there are also those who prefer the dark way: outright flight. And in this area, North Korea arises as an absolute master, thanks to the prowess of its infamous group of hackers, Lazarus. Their last feat? A $ 1.4 billion bolt on Exchange Bybit. A feat that propels Pyongyang to the rank of major BTC holder, even surpassing countries like Bhutan and Salvador.

When North Korea turns hacking into a bitcoin jackpot

Two years ago, the White House estimated that Almost 50 % of the North Korean ballistic program was funded by cyber attacks and cryptocurrency flights. Today, this figure does not seem to decrease. On February 21, the Lazarus group distinguished itself by a master stroke: Siphon $ 1.4 billion on Bybit.

And the most remarkable? In just 10 days, they managed to whiten 100 % From this sum via protocols deffi like Thorchain. A speed that leaves speechless and shows the extent of their expertise.

Lazarus does not stop there. Before this record, they had already struck many platforms. Some notable exploits:

• 2022: $ 615 million stolen from the Ronin Network;
• 2023: 308 million stolen from DMM Bitcoin (Japan);
• 2020 – 2023: more than 200 million bleached via 25 crypto hacks.

The American authorities follow these misdeeds closely. They believe that these attacks have become an essential source of income for the Kim Jong-Un diet. Like theunderlined Anne NeubergerDeputy Councilor for National Security of the United States, ” Pyongyang made cyber an essential economic lever for its survival ».

Sanctions, asset gels and legal proceedings are multiplying, but the game of cats and mouse continues.

So how far will the North Korean hackers go? Can the Crypto community really stop them?

BTC countries: North Korea plays in the big leagues

With 13,518 BTC in pocket (about $ 1.13 billion), North Korea is no longer a simple shadow player. She Surpass of nations Like Bhutan (10,635 BTC) and Salvador (6,118 BTC), which have focused on legal and official strategies to strengthen their Bitcoin assets.

Salvador, for example, continues to buy BTC since he made cryptocurrency a legal currency in 2021. As for Bhutan, its accumulation is based on an intensive mining strategy, using its abundant hydroelectricity to produce bitcoin at low cost.

However, North Korea has not yet caught up with the real jerseys of Bitcoin. In mind, The United States dominated with 198 109 BTCmainly from judicial confiscations.

Just behind, The United Kingdom displays 61,245 BTC in its chestsreinforce its position among the great Crypto nations. It should also be noted that the Chinese government, although silent on its exact assets, would still hold major BTC stocks seized after the closure of fraudulent platforms.

In this digital gold race, North Korea has found a questionable but devilishly effective shortcut. How far can it climb before a wall stands on its way? Will the international response eventually cut her wings?

The Bybit case has not only impacted the hacked Exchange. His shock wave also rocked OKX, suspected of having served as an intermediary for laundering the stolen funds. Exchange had to quickly deny any involvement, under the scrutinizing eye of European regulators. More proof that the world of crypto is always under tension.