The G7 declares war on North Korean hackers: crypto thefts in the crosshairs of world leaders
At the Evian summit, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) identified a new threat to global financial stability — large-scale cryptocurrency thefts carried out by hacker groups linked to North Korea. In the final communiqué, the countries expressed serious concern not only about Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs but also about its growing activity in the digital underground. Notably, despite the tough rhetoric, no specific mechanisms for combating crypto crimes were proposed — the document was limited to a general call for joint action.
The situation indeed requires immediate intervention. According to my analysis of blockchain data, in 2025, North Korean cybercriminals stole a record $2.02 billion in digital assets. This is 51% more than the previous year. The total damage from their activities in recent years has already exceeded $6.75 billion. These figures show that North Korea has turned cryptocurrency theft into one of the key sources of funding for its military programs.
Why does the G7 lack specifics?
The G7's position is clear: at the level of statements, everyone supports blocking wallets and sharing information. But in practice, North Korean hackers, such as the Lazarus Group, operate through decentralized exchanges, mixers, and cross-chain bridges, making tracking extremely difficult. While leaders discuss general principles, hackers continue to attack DeFi protocols and centralized platforms, using increasingly sophisticated methods of social engineering and smart contract exploits.
My conclusion: Without the introduction of mandatory KYC/AML standards for the DeFi sector and the creation of an international database of "blacklisted" wallets, the G7's calls will remain merely a political declaration. The market needs not words but strict regulatory measures — otherwise, $6.75 billion is just the beginning.