Crypto Hacking Funds Half of North Korea’s Foreign Income, Experts Say

North Korea, isolated from the global economy, is turning to cryptocurrency theft to generate foreign currency, with experts estimating that hacking now accounts for half of the country’s foreign income. The recent $6.3 billion Binance theft, attributed by TRM Group to the elite North Korean hacking unit TraderTraitor—also known as Lazarus Group—highlights the scale and sophistication of these operations. While the link to the Binance heist is not yet proven, the pattern matches previous attacks. These cybercrimes provide critical revenue for the regime, potentially funding its nuclear weapons program. As North Korea continues to refine its hacking capabilities, the international community faces a growing challenge in curbing this illicit financial lifeline.