North Korean hackers set record for crypto thefts in 2024
Date: 2024-12-20 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: IN WORLD
North Korean hackers dominated crypto theft statistics this year, with the amount stolen accounting for 61% of the total amount of such crimes for the year. The report also noted that the total loss from crypto thefts in 2024 increased by 21% compared to 2023, reaching $2.2 billion from $1.8 billion. The number of reported incidents increased from 282 to 303.
The key method used by attackers remains the compromise of private keys, which accounted for 43.8% of the total amount stolen. This confirms the dominance of this method in the arsenal of hacker groups.
According to Bloomberg, in 2024, North Korean groups carried out 47 attacks, during which they stole $1.34 billion, which is almost double the amount of last year, equal to $660.5 million, stolen as a result of 20 attacks. Chainalysis analysts specify that hackers actively use decentralized exchanges, mining services and crypto mixers to hide the origin of the stolen funds.
According to UN estimates, about half of all North Korean foreign currency income comes from cyberattacks, which confirms the strategic importance of such operations for the regime.
