North Korean hackers have been stealing over $2 billion from wealthy saltovulus owners, researchers say.

According to researchers, the aim of net-rich cryptodollar holders has helped North Korean hackers steal more than $2 billion ($1.49 billion) to date.

Robbery is a record for regime-related hackers, who now account for about 13% of North Korea's gross domestic product (PBB), according to UN estimates, reports the BBC.

Over the past few years, hacker teams such as Lazarus Group have focused on attacking Kryptonan companies for major digital land theft.

But investigators at the Elliptic research firm warn that individuals rich in cryptomoneds have become increasingly attractive targets, since they often lack the safety measures used by businesses.

Western security agencies say stolen funds are used to finance North Korea's nuclear and missile development programmes.

Dr. Tom Robinson, chief scientist at Elliptic, says that the target of individuals who are less likely to be discovered means that the true figure for cyber attacks committed by North Korea may be even higher.

The other “Ves are likely not reported and remain unknown, since dating cyber theft to North Korea is not an accurate science. ”

“We are aware of many other thefts that separate some of the distinguishing features of activity related to North Korea, but do not have enough evidence to eventually attributed”, he says.

The North Korean Embassy in the United Kingdom was contacted for comment, but it did not respond immediately. Previously, the regime has denied any involvement in cyberattacks.

Elliptic and other companies like Chainalysis are able to track the transfer of stolen funds like Bitcoin and Ethereum following the public list of transactions in the blockchain.

Over the years, researchers have observed models in methods and preferred tools from North Korean hackers.

Elliptic estimates that the successful year of 2025 so far brings the known quantum value of cryptocates stolen from the regime to more than $6 billion.

North Korea does not disclose GDP figures, but the UN estimates that in 2024 the country earned $15.17 billion.

The worst revenge of the year attributed to North Korea occurred in February of this year when hackers stole $1.4 billion from the ByBit Krypton Stock Exchange.

In addition to ByB's cyberattack in February, Elliptic analysts have attributed more than 30 attacks to North Korea so far this year.

An attack on WHO X in July saw $14m stolen by 9 users.

Another case led to the theft of $1.2 million in digital coins from Seedification.

Elliptic has worked privately with victims in other attacks that cost unidentified organisations and individuals tens, or even hundreds of millions.

The highest theft of cryptodollars by an individual to date this year is $100 million.

This year's activity exceeds the previous record of the regime set in 2022 when it is accused of stealing $1.35 billion in total.

In addition to a successful cybercrime team, the regime is increasingly accused of operating an elaborate IT employee programme to bring additional money and avoid international sanctions.