North Korea has rejected United States allegations linking it to a $6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft involving Binance, describing Washington’s claims as “a trite provocation” and “an absurd rhetoric.”
Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the allegations in a statement carried by the country’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), accusing Washington of repeatedly associating Pyongyang with international cybercrime.
The denial comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) attributed the cryptocurrency theft to a North Korean-linked hacking group, TraderTraitor, raising fresh concerns about cybercrime and international financial security.
PYONGYANG ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF POLITICAL PROVOCATION
Kim Yo Jong said the American allegations were intended to portray North Korea as a criminal state and undermine its international reputation.
“The US assertion is absurd rhetoric and nothing new,” she said, according to KCNA.
She further accused Washington of misleading international public opinion by suggesting that North Korea was responsible for cyberattacks across different parts of the world.
Kim described the allegations as “a grave political provocation against the DPRK,” referring to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Kim described the allegations as “a grave political provocation against the DPRK that the US misleads international public opinion as if all the cyber crimes in different parts of the world are our deeds.”
She also warned that Pyongyang had “issues to reconsider” in response to what she described as Washington’s hostile attitude, although she did not specify what actions the country might take.
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FBI LINKS NORTH KOREAN HACKERS TO BINANCE THEFT
The FBI said North Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
American investigators attributed the operation to TraderTraitor, a hacking group associated with North Korean state-sponsored cyber activities.
The stolen assets were reportedly converted into Ethereum, with investigators warning that the funds could be moved through additional laundering networks to conceal their origin.
The incident has been described as one of the largest cryptocurrency thefts on record, intensifying scrutiny of North Korea’s alleged involvement in digital financial crimes.
Pyongyang has consistently denied accusations linking it to cryptocurrency theft and other cyberattacks.
CRYPTOCURRENCY THEFT RAISES SECURITY CONCERNS
Cybersecurity analysts have repeatedly accused North Korean hackers of targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and financial platforms to generate revenue for the country’s government.
Experts say proceeds from such operations could help support North Korea’s economy and weapons development programmes despite international sanctions.
Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic estimates that North Korea-linked hackers stole approximately $7.6 billion in cryptocurrency during 2026, making it the country’s highest reported annual total.
South Korea has also expressed concern over Pyongyang’s alleged cyber activities, saying they pose growing risks to the global digital economy.
BINANCE MOVES TO RESTORE CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE
Meanwhile, Binance has begun reopening withdrawals for additional cryptocurrency assets following the incident, as the exchange seeks to reassure customers about its financial stability.
The company said customer withdrawals had largely stabilised after an initial surge following the theft.
Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said the exchange remained in “very strong financial health,” adding that approximately 95 per cent of the affected tokens had been replenished.
The exchange has also introduced incentives and fee rebates to encourage trading activity and retain customers.
The controversy comes as US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in resuming diplomatic engagement with North Korea, although Pyongyang is yet to respond positively to his overtures.
