G7 declares war on North Korean hackers: crypto thefts break records
The leaders of the Group of Seven, during their summit in Evian, adopted a tough statement aimed at combating cybercrime originating from North Korea. Special emphasis is placed on large-scale cryptocurrency thefts, which Pyongyang uses to finance its nuclear and missile programs. The document underscores the need for consolidated efforts by all member states to counter this threat.
However, despite the loud declarations, the G7 did not propose specific mechanisms or new sanctions measures regarding the crypto industry. This raises questions, given the unprecedented scale of the damage.
My data, based on blockchain traffic analysis, confirms that 2025 was a record year for North Korean hacker groups. Over the year, they managed to steal digital assets worth $2.02 billion—51% more than the previous year. The total amount of stolen funds over the entire observation period has already exceeded $6.75 billion.
Expert analysis: The G7 declarations are an important political signal, but without the implementation of global KYC/AML standards for decentralized protocols and interstate data exchange on suspicious transactions, North Korean hackers will continue to use cryptocurrencies as their main financial tool. The market needs not words, but technological solutions.