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The United States, Japan, and South Korea have jointly issued a warning to the blockchain industry regarding escalating cyber threats from state-sponsored North Korean hackers. These attacks are not limited to the three nations but extend to the broader international community, with a specific focus on stealing cryptocurrencies from exchanges, custodians, and individual users. The hackers' activities, attributed to groups such as the Lazarus Group, are aimed at generating illicit revenue for the North Korean government's weapons programs.

The scale of these cyber heists is significant, with over $650 million stolen in 2024 alone. Major losses include $308 million from DMM Bitcoin, $50 million from Upbit, and $16.1 million from Rain Management. Furthermore, attacks in 2023 on WazirX ($235 million) and Radiant Capital ($50 million) have also been linked to North Korean cyber actors. The tactics used are becoming increasingly advanced, involving social engineering attacks that deploy malware such as TraderTraitor and AppleJeus. This joint statement underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to prevent further financial losses.

ImgSrc: securityonline.info

References:

• @cybernews - State-sponsored North Korean hackers threaten not only the US, Japan, and South Korea but also the broader international community. - 20d
• Cybersecurity News - Millions Stolen: North Korea Hackers Target Blockchain Industry - 20d
• Crypto Briefing - US, Japan, and South Korea warn blockchain industry of North Korea’s ongoing cyber threats - 20d

Classification:

• HashTags: NorthKorea CyberThreat Blockchain
• Company: International Community
• Target: Blockchain Industry
• Attacker: North Korean Hackers
• Product: Blockchain Industry
• Feature: international warning
• Type: Hack
• Severity: Major