N. Korea infiltrates crypto markets
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However, I can provide you with general information about North Korea’s involvement in the cryptocurrency industry, which is a widely reported topic:
Sanctions Evasion:
- North Korea faces strict international sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program. Cryptocurrency offers a way to bypass traditional financial systems and evade these sanctions.
- By stealing or laundering cryptocurrency, North Korea can acquire funds to support its regime and weapons development.
- Hacking and Theft:
- North Korean hacking groups, such as the Lazarus Group, have been implicated in numerous cryptocurrency heists.
- These groups target cryptocurrency exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and individual wallets to steal digital assets.
- Money Laundering:
- Stolen cryptocurrency is often laundered through various methods, including using mixers, decentralized exchanges, and shell companies, to obscure its origin.
- This makes it difficult to trace the funds back to North Korea.
- Use of Malware:
- North Korean actors utilize malware to gain access to computers and networks, enabling them to steal cryptocurrency and sensitive information.
- Social Engineering:
- North korean actors have been known to use social engineering to gain trust of crypto industry professionals, and then use that trust to gain access to systems and funds.