The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning that North Korean hackers may attempt to liquidate stolen Bitcoin valued at over $40 million. The announcement comes as the FBI identified six wallets linked to the Lazarus Group and APT38, both North Korea-based hacking entities known for their involvement in cryptocurrency hacks.
According to the FBI’s statement on Tuesday, these groups were responsible for a series of high-profile cryptocurrency heists earlier this year. These incidents include the $60 million theft from Alphapo, a payment processor, and the $100 million exploit of Atomic Wallet.
In an effort to curb potential illicit activities, the FBI cautioned cryptocurrency companies against engaging with the six identified wallets. These wallets collectively hold around 1,580 bitcoins, equivalent to approximately $41 million.
The Lazarus Group and APT38 were previously implicated in the Horizon Bridge hack, a significant cyberattack that took place last year and resulted in the loss of over $100 million.
The FBI’s alert sheds light on the persistent threat posed by North Korean hackers to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Their involvement in high-value cryptocurrency thefts underscores the need for heightened security measures across the industry. Cryptocurrency companies and exchanges are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their assets from potential illicit activities originating from hacker groups.
As the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve and attract more attention from both legitimate users and malicious actors, regulatory bodies like the FBI play a crucial role in maintaining the security and integrity of the digital financial landscape. The investigation and tracking of hacker groups help to prevent further breaches and safeguard the interests of the broader cryptocurrency community.
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