North Korea Steals $2.84 Billion Cryptocurrency to Fund Nuclear Program, Report Reveals

An international report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team reveals North Korea has stolen approximately $2.84 billion in cryptocurrency from January 2024 to September 2025, laundering the funds through overseas brokers in China, Russia, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. These cyber thefts, executed by North Korean hackers infiltrating cryptocurrency exchanges and securing remote tech positions abroad, are orchestrated by Pyongyang officials to finance nuclear weapons development and evade international sanctions. The report highlights North Korea's sophisticated cyber capabilities rivaling those of China and Russia, with a focus on financial gain through hacking, laundering, and fraud, rather than broader espionage. Chinese nationals and financial systems play a significant role in facilitating laundering and cash-out processes, including the use of forged identification and Chinese banking services. North Korea’s cyber operations have caused destruction of computer equipment, endangerment of lives, and loss of private assets, underscoring the serious threat posed to foreign governments, businesses, and individuals. This comprehensive analysis marks the first detailed depiction of North Korea’s cybercrime network and its global financial ramifications linked to its weapons programs.