The G7 declares war on North Korean hackers: cryptocurrency thefts hit record highs
The G7 countries made a decisive statement at the recent summit in Évian: it is necessary to join forces to combat cryptocurrency theft and cyberattacks originating from North Korea. This was a direct response to the unprecedented rise in activity by hacker groups linked to the DPRK, which in recent years have turned digital assets into one of the key tools for funding state programs.
Scale of the Threat: Shocking Numbers
Data analysis shows that the situation is spiraling out of control. In 2025 alone, North Korean hackers managed to steal $2.02 billion worth of cryptocurrency. This is 51% more than the previous year, indicating a rapid increase in their technical capabilities and audacity. The total volume of stolen assets in recent years, by my estimates, has already exceeded $6.75 billion. These funds, as is known, are funneled to support Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, directly threatening global security.
Notably, the final document of the G7 summit did not propose specific mechanisms or separate measures for the cryptocurrency sector. This raises questions. Declarations of intent are fine, but without strict regulatory frameworks, enhanced blockchain monitoring, and international coordination in asset freezing, the fight against this threat will remain merely a political gesture.
My analysis: The cryptocurrency market has long become a battlefield where states use hackers as proxy forces. While the G7 limits itself to general statements, North Korean groups like Lazarus Group are refining their methods—from phishing to complex attacks on DeFi protocols. Without creating a unified database of suspicious transactions and implementing mandatory sanctions filters for exchanges, we risk seeing $2 billion a year become just a "modest" beginning.