North Korea rejects US claims of role in $6.3 billion Binance hack
Kim Yo Jong called the FBI's allegations regarding the cryptocurrency theft a grave political provocation against the DPRK.
North Korea has rejected claims by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that it was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance. The FBI stated on Saturday that the attack, which occurred on or around October 29, was linked to TraderTraitor, a North Korean hacking group, according to reports by Deccan Chronicle, Business Today, and Times Now.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, described the US assertions as "absurd rhetoric" in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday. She called the allegations a "grave political provocation" and accused the US of misleading international opinion by suggesting North Korea is responsible for cybercrimes worldwide.
The hack involved approximately 12,000 different cryptocurrency wallets across 11 blockchain networks, with hackers performing more than 40,000 transactions. The FBI noted that hackers were converting stolen assets primarily into Ethereum. Blockchain tracking firms including Chainalysis, Elliptic, and TRM Labs have also linked the attack to North Korea.
Binance has stated it has already made up for nearly 95 per cent of the affected amount from its reserves. The exchange has resumed transactions, and while it faced a surge in withdrawals, the company said the situation was stabilising.
Kim Yo Jong noted that the US's hostile attitude is pushing Pyongyang to reconsider various issues, though she did not elaborate. Meanwhile, the FBI and US authorities have urged crypto exchanges and blockchain operators to block transactions linked to the addresses used to move the stolen assets.
