Report reveals Pyongyang is advancing cyber theft operations with restricted NVIDIA hardware despite global sanctions
New findings suggest that North Korea is expanding its cybercrime operations by using banned NVIDIA GPUs to strengthen artificial intelligence–powered hacking tools. A recent report indicates that the country has acquired GeForce RTX 2700 graphics cards, which are prohibited under U.S. export controls, and is deploying them for crypto theft, deepfake production, and surveillance efforts.
North Korea’s Use of Restricted GPUs
The GPUs in question are classified as dual-use technology, meaning they can support advanced AI research, cryptographic processing, and cyberwarfare capabilities. Despite strict sanctions, Pyongyang has continued to build out its computing infrastructure and appears to be improving the efficiency of state-sponsored cyber units.
These mid-range GPUs are not the most advanced available, but they still provide substantial computational power — enough to fuel large-scale digital operations. Their use raises serious concerns because they are prohibited from export to North Korea due to national security risks.
AI-Enhanced Crypto Theft Operations
North Korea’s interest in cryptocurrencies dates back to 2017, when the regime began using digital assets as a tool to evade sanctions and generate covert revenue.
State-backed hacking groups — most notably the Lazarus Group, linked to the Reconnaissance General Bureau — are thought to have orchestrated multiple high-profile exchange breaches.
According to recent intelligence assessments, North Korean teams are now relying on AI-driven scanning tools to locate vulnerabilities in smart contracts, automate intrusion attempts, and refine social engineering tactics. Hackers have even begun using AI to create fake recruiter profiles and realistic digital identities, making phishing operations far more convincing.
Although the country does not have access to top-tier AI systems, the adoption of mid-level GPUs still enables significant progress in cyber offense. Analysts warn that these developments could lead to faster, more targeted crypto theft campaigns, increasing the difficulty for global exchanges and blockchain networks to defend themselves.
North Korea’s use of banned GPUs demonstrates how the regime is pushing forward with AI-enabled cybercrime despite international restrictions. As these tools become more sophisticated, governments and crypto firms worldwide may face escalating threats from one of the world’s most persistent state-sponsored hacking operations.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.