Check it out! North Korea’s Bitcoin Reserves Surpass El Salvador and Bhutan

Jakarta, Pintu News – A significant increase in the amount of Bitcoin (BTC) held by North Korea’s Lazarus group has attracted global attention. With total holdings now reaching 13,562 BTC (approximately $1.14 billion), North Korea has surpassed Bhutan and El Salvador in terms of the amount of Bitcoin held by a country.

This phenomenon raises questions about its impact and the strategies that other countries might adopt to deal with the situation.

Bitcoin hoarding by North Korea

North Korea, through the cyber group Lazarus, has managed to amass a significant amount of Bitcoin. This drastic increase occurred after they managed to hack into the Bybit exchange platform, which resulted in them gaining access to a large amount of Bitcoin. With holdings totaling over a billion dollars, North Korea is now one of the major players in the global Bitcoin ecosystem.

Not only does this possession demonstrate North Korea’s power in the cyber domain, but it also raises global concerns regarding the potential use of Bitcoin in funding unauthorized activities. The country has used its cyber capabilities to raise significant funds, which could affect global financial stability.

Also Read: Bitcoin Miner Sales Still High, On-Chain Data Reveals Bearish Trend (3/19/25)

Money Laundering Strategy

The Lazarus group is known for their ability to launder the proceeds of cybercrime. They use sophisticated techniques to convert stolen Ethereum (ETH) into Bitcoin, utilizing decentralized protocols like THORChain to disguise the flow of funds.

This technique allows them to hide the origin of the funds before eventually cashing them out. On March 13, a blockchain security firm, CertiK, detected a deposit of 400 ETH into Tornado Cash worth $750,000, which was attributed to the activities of the Lazarus group. This method is part of their strategy to eliminate traces before converting the funds into a more liquid and difficult to trace form.

Global Implications and US Response

North Korea’s increase in Bitcoin reserves has serious implications for global security. The United States, as the largest holder of Bitcoin with 198,109 BTC (approximately $16.56 billion), is considering strategies to counter this threat. One proposal under consideration is the establishment of a United States Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which would use assets seized from criminal investigations and civil forfeitures.

The initiative aims to strengthen Bitcoin’s role in global financial strategies and as a preventive measure against the misuse of cryptocurrencies in illegal activities. As such, the United States seeks to minimize the negative impact of increased Bitcoin reserves by countries such as North Korea.

Conclusion

North Korea has shown how cybercrime can be a powerful economic weapon, despite international sanctions. By continuing to develop their techniques, the Lazarus group is challenging global efforts in the fight against cybercrime.

North Korea’s large Bitcoin holdings not only raise security concerns, but also emphasize the importance of international cooperation in addressing the issues of cybercrime and money laundering.

Also Read: Ethereum (ETH) has the potential to surge sharply, analysts reveal similarities with 2020 trends

That’s the latest information about crypto news today. Get more information about crypto academy from beginner to expert level only at Pintu Academy and enrich your knowledge about the world of crypto and blockchain.

Follow us on Google News to get the latest information about crypto and blockchain technology. Enjoy an easy and secure crypto trading experience by downloading Pintu Crypto via Google Play Store or App Store now.

Experience web trading with advanced trading tools such as pro charting, various order types, and portfolio tracker only at Pintu Pro. Click Register Pintu if you don’t have an account or click Login Pintu if you are already registered.

*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Trading crypto carries high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold hard cash before investing. All activities of buying andselling Bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference

• AMB Crypto. North Korea’s 13.5k BTC more than Bhutan, El Salvador’s stash details. Accessed on March 19, 2025
• Featured Image: jabarekspres.com