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North Korean Hackers Steal $721 Million in Cryptocurrency from Japan

Feb 7, 2026 February 7, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

North Korean hackers have stolen $721 million in cryptocurrency from Japan since 2017, accounting for 30% of global losses. This information comes from a report by Elliptic and follows a G7 statement on countering illegal activities by state actors. The theft highlights ongoing cybersecurity threats and the geopolitical implications of North Korea's actions.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The significant theft of cryptocurrency by North Korean hackers poses serious implications for global cybersecurity and economic stability.

👥 Key Players

North Korean Hackers MENTIONED
Cybercriminals linked to the North Korean state
"Their activities highlight the intersection of state-sponsored cybercrime and international security, which is relevant for Iran given its own cybersecurity challenges."
G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors MENTIONED
Leaders of the world's major economies
"Their collective response to cyber threats influences global economic policies and security measures, which can impact Iran's economic interactions."
Elliptic MENTIONED
Cryptocurrency market analysis firm
"Provides critical data on cryptocurrency theft, which helps in understanding the scale of cybercrime affecting economies, including Iran's potential cryptocurrency market."

📰 What Happened

North Korean hackers have reportedly stolen $721 million in cryptocurrency from Japan since 2017, which constitutes 30% of global losses in this sector. This information was revealed in a report by Elliptic, coinciding with a G7 statement addressing state-sponsored cybercrime.

  • North Korea has stolen a total of $2.3 billion in cryptocurrency from 2017 to 2022.
  • The G7 is taking a unified stance against illegal activities by state actors.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The theft underscores the importance of strengthening cybersecurity measures in Iran, especially as it navigates its own economic challenges and potential reliance on cryptocurrencies.
🌍 Regional: Increased cyber threats from North Korea may prompt regional actors, including Iran, to bolster their defenses and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives.
🌐 International: The G7's response may lead to stricter regulations on cryptocurrency and increased international cooperation to combat cybercrime, affecting global markets.

📚 Background

Cryptocurrency has become a target for cybercriminals due to its decentralized nature and high value, making it attractive for state-sponsored theft. North Korea's involvement in cybercrime is part of its broader strategy to circumvent international sanctions.

Cybersecurity Cryptocurrency regulation
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The report comes from a reputable Japanese newspaper and a recognized cryptocurrency analysis firm, suggesting a high level of reliability in the information presented.

The Japanese newspaper 'Nikkei' reported on Monday, citing a report from a British cryptocurrency market analysis firm called 'Elliptic', that hacker groups linked to North Korea have stolen '$721 million' in cryptocurrency assets from Japan since 2017. According to Reuters, this amount represents '30 percent' of total such losses globally. The report states that North Korea has stolen a total of '$2.3 billion' in cryptocurrency from 2017 to 2022. This report was released after the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G7 issued a statement on Saturday announcing their support for actions to counter the increasing threats posed by illegal activities of state actors, such as the theft of cryptocurrency assets.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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