North Korea Emerges as World’s Third Largest Bitcoin Holder Amid Cybercrime Surge
In a striking development to underline the intersection of geo -policy and digital finance, North Korea has climbed the rank of the world’s third largest bitcoin holder, a shocking 13,580 BTC, which is approximately $ 1.15 billion as 23 March, 2025.
According to data from Arkham Intelligence, the government and the United Kingdom government-accepted bitcoin reserves. The catalyst for the climb of North Korea was $ 1.5 billion hack on February 21, 2025, a $ 1.5 billion hack of the Bibit Cryptocurrency Exchange, which was orchestrated by a state-proposed hacking syndicate by the Lazarus Group.
The group, known for its sophisticated cyber attack, discontinued the huge amount of atherium (ETH) before converting into bitcoin (BTC), taking advantage of a decentralized finance protocol such as thorchain to obscure the origin of the fund. In early March, Lazarus held more than 14,000 BTCs, although the recent transfer has trimmed that the coinlagraph’s 16 March report, up to 13,580 BTC.
It assumes holdings of nations such as Dhona Al Salvador (6,117 BTC) and Bhutan (10,635 BTC), who have chased the legal path to create their reserves.
North Korea’s climb reflects a comprehensive strategy: exploiting cryptocurrency to bypassing international sanctions and to fund its military ambitions.
In a statement of March 10, quoted by Swatantra, the FBI confirmed the Bite Breech as the largest crypto heest in history, given that income is probably increasing Pyongyang’s atomic and missile programs. “This is not just theft – it’s an economic war,” said Tom Robinson of a blockchain forensic firm said, highlighting.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/north-korea-third-largest-bitcoin-holder-bybit-hack/https://www.coinmarketcap.com/https://www.nbcnews.com/https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2025/03/20/leak-fuels-wild-speculation-of-trump-crypto-update/https://www.theindependent.co.uk/north-korean-hackers-cashing-out-crypto-heist/ https://news.starlavinia.name.tr/crypto-roverrsts-major-altseason-in-2025/
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