When you hear about DPRK cyber operations, state-sponsored hacking campaigns led by North Korea to steal funds, disrupt systems, and fund national programs. Also known as North Korea hacking, these attacks are among the most organized and persistent in the world. Unlike typical cybercriminals, DPRK hackers work under direct orders from military units like Bureau 121, with clear goals: steal cryptocurrency, bypass sanctions, and fund weapons programs. The U.S. Treasury has linked them to over $2 billion in thefts since 2017, mostly from exchanges and DeFi platforms.
These operations aren’t random. They follow a pattern: first, they scout for weak security in crypto platforms—especially those with poor KYC or outdated infrastructure. Then they launch phishing campaigns, exploit smart contract bugs, or bribe insiders. In 2022, the Lazarus Group, a DPRK-linked team, stole $625 million from Axie Infinity’s Ronin Bridge. In 2024, they hit a DeFi protocol on Arbitrum, draining $40 million in just hours. These aren’t one-off events. They’re part of a systematic strategy that’s evolved from stealing credit card data to targeting blockchain’s weakest links.
What makes DPRK cyber operations different is their scale and impunity. While other nations conduct espionage, North Korea uses hacking as a primary revenue stream. Their victims? Not just big exchanges like Binance or KuCoin, but also small DeFi apps, NFT marketplaces, and even individual traders who fall for fake airdrop scams tied to their operations. The same groups behind these heists are also linked to ransomware attacks on hospitals and power grids. Their tools are sold or shared with other criminal networks, making them a global multiplier threat. And because they operate from outside normal jurisdiction, chasing them is nearly impossible.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just news about hacks—it’s the real-world fallout. You’ll see how exchanges like Nanex collapsed after being targeted, how fake airdrops like LARIX and ART Campaign are often fronts for DPRK-backed scams, and why projects with no team or audit (like GORK or DRAGONKING) are easy prey. You’ll also learn how regulations in Singapore, Brazil, and the U.S. are trying to close the gaps these hackers exploit. This isn’t about tech hype. It’s about survival in a world where your crypto isn’t safe unless you understand who’s trying to take it—and how they do it.
North Korean IT workers are laundering billions in crypto through fake remote jobs. Learn how they hide in plain sight, why they use stablecoins, and how companies can stop them before it's too late.