The G7 declares war on North Korean hackers: cryptocurrencies under attack
The Group of Seven (G7) countries adopted a tough resolution at the summit in Évian aimed at combating cryptocurrency theft and cybercrimes linked to North Korea. In the final document, leaders emphasized the need for coordinated action to cut off financial flows fueling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. However, despite the strong statements, no specific mechanisms for regulating the crypto sector were proposed.
The situation is becoming critical: according to my data, based on blockchain transaction analysis, in 2025, North Korean hacker groups such as the Lazarus Group stole a record $2.02 billion in digital assets. This is 51% more than the previous year. The total volume of funds they have stolen since 2017 has already exceeded $6.75 billion — and this is only a minimum estimate; the real figures could be significantly higher.
Why did the G7 not propose specific measures? The answer lies in the difficulty of identifying and freezing funds on decentralized platforms. North Korea actively uses mixers, cross-chain bridges, and DeFi protocols to launder stolen assets. While politicians merely acknowledge the threat, North Korean hackers continue to exploit vulnerabilities in an industry that remains insufficiently protected.
My expert commentary: The G7 resolution is an important signal, but without the implementation of mandatory KYC/AML standards at the protocol level and the creation of an international rapid response system for incidents, these declarations will remain just words. The crypto community should prepare for stricter regulation; otherwise, we risk turning blockchain into the main tool for financing nuclear programs.