A report titled “2026 Crypto Crime” by Chainalysis reveals alarming findings regarding North Korea’s involvement in large-scale cyberattacks aimed at stealing cryptocurrency. According to the report, the North Korean government, led by Kim Jong Un, has orchestrated sophisticated hacking operations, accumulating a staggering $2 billion in 2025 alone. This adds to the nation’s total, which has surpassed $6.7 billion in stolen crypto assets over the past decade (2015–2025). The report paints a picture of North Korea as the world’s leading threat actor in crypto theft, as it was $3.5 billion across the world.
The attacks are strategically targeted at large financial institutions, with Bybit, a Dubai-based fintech company founded in 2018, being one of the significant victims. In a particularly bold move, hackers linked to the North Korean regime reportedly stole $1.5 billion from Bybit in a single year, demonstrating the scale of the nation’s cybercriminal activities. According to Chainalysis, North Korea’s focus on high-profile targets enables it to maximize the stolen wealth, further fueling the regime’s nuclear ambitions amidst ongoing Western sanctions.
The report also highlights a concerning trend: the risk to individual crypto owners has significantly increased. Chainalysis estimates that victims are losing anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 on average, a sharp rise from previous years. The implications of this rise in theft are profound, with more individuals and institutions now under threat of cyberattacks.
When it comes to the types of cryptocurrencies targeted, the report shows that Ethereum and Tron have been the most vulnerable, leading the list of stolen assets. Not far behind are Base and Solana, which, despite having large user bases, rank third and fourth in thefts. This indicates that even the most widely used and trusted cryptocurrencies are at significant risk from such well-organized cyberattacks.
Overall, the Chainalysis report underscores the growing sophistication and scale of North Korean cybercrimes in the cryptocurrency space. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the global crypto ecosystem, especially in light of geopolitical tensions and the increasing stakes of digital asset security.
Over $2billion stolen in Cryptocurrency says research by Chainalysis – Cybersecurity Insiders
