North Korean hackers, whose nation of birth is in a protracted financial crisis and is essentially cut off from the world market, the theft of cryptocurrency and other types of cyberespionage have been a major source of cash.
North Korean hackers are said to have stolen cryptocurrency worth $1.72 billion since 2017. Due to their constant efforts to breach additional security measures and steal more money, this number would only increase today.
The theft of $100 million from the Horizon bridge of American crypto firm Harmony in June was carried out by two hacker gangs with connections to North Korea, Lazarus Group and APT38, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday.
Ether (ETH), Tether (USDT), and Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC) were taken from Horizon Bridge, a service that facilitates trade of cryptocurrency between Harmony and other blockchains. APT38 and Lazarus are the most likely offenders.
The FBI acknowledged in a statement released on Monday that its investigations revealed the Lazarus Group and APT38, two cyberterrorists connected to the DPRK:
“Are responsible for the theft of $100 million in virtual currency from Harmony’s Horizon bridge.”
The FBI claims that North Korea launders and steals digital currencies to finance its development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction.
