Chainalysis: 2021 record year for cryptocurrency theft by North Koreans
Cryptocurrencies are beyond the control of banks and are extremely volatile.
INA FASSBENDER AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
North Korean hackers stole nearly $400 million last year by attacking cryptocurrency exchanges.
It's one of the juiciest years for cybercriminals, analysts Chainalysis says.
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Last year, seven cyberattacks were carried out by North Korean hackers, three more than the previous year.
The Chainalysis company points out that the hacking mainly concerns investment companies and centralized trading platforms.
The collected cryptocurrencies are then thoroughly laundered.
North Korea,
deprived of currency due to international sanctions, has become a champion of internet piracy in recent years.
The country has developed a large network of hackers capable of operating around the world, accusations that Pyongyang regularly denies.
According to a UN report, the stolen money is being used by the country to fund its ballistic program.
Cryptocurrency platforms have become the favorite target of hackers around the world in recent years.
The most striking example is that of the Poly Network platform which lost $600 million in digital tokens last year.
► To read also: The craze around cryptocurrencies, a phenomenon that is here to stay
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North Korea