LIVE
Tether CEO Says USDT Adds 30M+ New Wallets Each QuarterGrant Cardone's Firm Adds 10.5 BTC, Tops 2,700 BTC HoldingsBitPay Gets Dutch MiCA License for Stablecoin PaymentsT. Rowe Price Launches Active Crypto ETF: Key DetailsSBI Group Partners With Ondo Finance for Tokenized FinanceRipple CLO Stuart Alderoty Backs CLARITY Act Before Key TestSouth Korea May Bring Crypto Under 76-Year-Old Asset Law: ReportBitcoin ETFs See $107.7M Inflows as IBIT LeadsStrategy Pauses Bitcoin Buys Until Preferred Shares RecoverBitcoin Held Inverse U.S. Dollar Correlation in Q2 2026Tether CEO Says USDT Adds 30M+ New Wallets Each QuarterGrant Cardone's Firm Adds 10.5 BTC, Tops 2,700 BTC HoldingsBitPay Gets Dutch MiCA License for Stablecoin PaymentsT. Rowe Price Launches Active Crypto ETF: Key DetailsSBI Group Partners With Ondo Finance for Tokenized FinanceRipple CLO Stuart Alderoty Backs CLARITY Act Before Key TestSouth Korea May Bring Crypto Under 76-Year-Old Asset Law: ReportBitcoin ETFs See $107.7M Inflows as IBIT LeadsStrategy Pauses Bitcoin Buys Until Preferred Shares RecoverBitcoin Held Inverse U.S. Dollar Correlation in Q2 2026
Homepage/Bitcoin News/North Korean Lazarus Group Holds 13,518 BTC
BITCOIN NEWS

North Korean Lazarus Group Holds 13,518 BTC

BY Solomon M.·1 MIN READ·MARCH 18, 2025

Lazarus Group’s extensive Bitcoin holdings have eclipsed those of Bhutan and El Salvador. The group’s activities highlight increasing concerns about crypto security. The FBI recently connected them to a sizable Bybit theft during February 2025.

KEY FINDINGS - EVIDENCE LEVEL: MULTI-SOURCE
1Key sections mapped in this report
0Internal references connected to related coverage
3External source domains cited in the article
1 minEstimated time to read the full report
Key Takeaways:

  • Lazarus Group’s Bitcoin holdings exceed those of small nations.
  • Impact on crypto market dynamics and national reserves.
  • U.S. and partners examining asset freezing solutions.

The group’s actions reflect the growing risk of cryptocurrency mishandling by state-affiliated entities. Ben Zhou of Bybit emphasized community collaboration in countering cybercrime. U.S. authorities are also monitoring the situation closely.

“Different ways to build a strategic crypto reserve. North Korea now holds more BTC than some countries who bought or seized it legally. Interesting times we live in.” – Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Founder and CEO of Binance.

The crypto market faces immediate uncertainty as significant Bitcoin holdings shift balance. Concerns arise over centralized exchange vulnerabilities, with potential increases in decentralized exchange usage amidst security worries.

Industry Impact

Arthur Hayes of BitMEX notes possible hikes in decentralized exchange usage. This reflects the evolving landscape following North Korea’s recent moves, with potential long-term effects on the industry’s security infrastructure.

Current financial trends suggest a potential shift in cryptocurrency regulation and security strategies. Policymakers and industry leaders are calling for enhanced preventative measures. Close monitoring and international collaboration might drive future regulatory actions.

Market Fluctuations

The latest price data indicates that Bitcoin is currently trading at $84,326 and has experienced fluctuations. Analysts suggest that this trend aligns with previous market movements, reinforcing historical price patterns.

SOURCE TRANSPARENCY
  • External Source - Referenced domain: theblock.co
  • External Source - Referenced domain: ic3.gov
  • External Source - Referenced domain: twitter.com
  • Byline - Reported by Solomon M.
  • Coverage Desk - Primary editorial category: Bitcoin News
  • Media Asset - Featured image served from the WordPress media library