FBI Blames North Korea for $6B Binance Hack as Exchange Reopens Withdrawals

The FBI has attributed a massive $6 billion cryptocurrency heist to North Korean state-sponsored hackers, marking one of the largest digital asset thefts on record. Binance, the world’s leading crypto exchange by trading volume, temporarily suspended withdrawals following the breach but has since resumed operations. In the first nine and a half hours after reopening, users withdrew a net $3.64 billion—equivalent to 2.1% of the platform’s total assets—according to company data. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by sophisticated cyber actors to the digital asset ecosystem. For investors and regulators alike, the hack raises urgent questions about exchange security and the traceability of stolen funds, especially given North Korea’s alleged use of cryptocurrency to fund its weapons programs. Binance has not disclosed how the attack was executed or whether any customer funds were lost. The swift resumption of withdrawals suggests confidence in the platform’s liquidity, but the episode may accelerate calls for stricter oversight of crypto exchanges and international sanctions enforcement. As the investigation unfolds, the industry will watch whether Binance can restore trust and whether law enforcement can recover any of the stolen assets.