Hackers from North Korea stole about $400 million in digital assets in seven separate attacks on cryptocurrency assets last year, according to a new report.
Chainanalysis, a blockchain analysis outfit, said that this was an increase from four attacks in 2020, with the value of the cryptocurrency stolen in 2021 being 40% higher than what was stolen in 2020.
According to the BBC investment firms and centralised exchanges were the primary victims.
The hackers used malware as well as phishing techniques to carry out the heists.
Chainanalysis said that attacks were likely carried out by the Lazarus Group, which is known to have links to North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, the country’s primary intelligence agency.
The insular country, which has been ruled by the Kim family since the end of World War II, has routinely denied its involvement in these thefts.