US Cracks Down: North Korean Hackers Face Sanctions Over $2B Crypto Heist Spree

Washington turns up the heat on Pyongyang's digital privateers—accused of bankrolling missiles with stolen crypto.

The Lazarus loophole

Sanctions target 15 individuals and 10 entities tied to North Korea's shadowy Bureau 121. The group allegedly laundered proceeds through Chinese OTC desks—proving yet again that crypto's 'borderless' nature cuts both ways.

Security theater or actual teeth?

While Treasury touts frozen assets, blockchain analysts note most funds already vanished into mixer obfuscation. 'Like confiscating a getaway bicycle after the bank vault's emptied,' quips a Chainalysis exec.

The Kim regime's DeFi dilemma

With traditional financing locked down, stolen crypto becomes Pyongyang's lifeline. Ironically, their hacking prowess now outperforms their missile accuracy—hitting nine-figure sums with alarming consistency.

_Meanwhile in traditional finance: Goldman Sachs quietly processes $2B in Venezuelan oil trades—but those sanctions don't trend on Crypto Twitter._