North Korea Rejects Crypto Theft Claims as Data Shows Rising Global Hack Share

DPRK Denies Allegations Amid Surge in Crypto Hack Losses

North Korea has dismissed accusations of state-backed cryptocurrency theft, calling them “absurd slander” and blaming what it described as “reptile media” for spreading the claims. A spokesperson for the country’s Foreign Ministry argued that such allegations are being used as a political tool by the United States to justify hostile policies, adding that the state would take necessary measures to defend its interests.

Crypto Theft Data Points to Growing DPRK-Linked Activity

Despite the denial, blockchain intelligence data presents a different picture. Reports indicate that actors linked to North Korea were responsible for approximately $577 million in stolen crypto assets during the first four months of 2026, accounting for nearly 76% of global hack losses in that period. The surge was largely driven by two major incidents in April, including the $292 million Kelp DAO exploit and a $285 million attack on Drift Protocol.

Long-Term Trend of North Korea Crypto Operations

The country’s share of global crypto related theft has grown significantly, rising from under 10% in 2020 to 64% in 2025. Since 2017, total theft attributed to these operations has exceeded $6 billion, with authorities linking the funds to military and strategic programs.