When you hear about a crypto exchange getting hacked for hundreds of millions, chances are Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking collective known for cyberattacks on financial systems. Also known as APT38, it’s not some lone hacker in a basement—it’s a well-funded, highly organized unit with direct ties to the Korean People’s Army. This group doesn’t just steal coins. They plan for years, target weak points in exchange infrastructure, and launder the stolen funds through complex crypto mixers and fake DeFi platforms. Their attacks aren’t random—they’re strategic, persistent, and designed to bypass sanctions and fund regime operations.
The Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking collective known for cyberattacks on financial systems. Also known as APT38, it’s not some lone hacker in a basement—it’s a well-funded, highly organized unit with direct ties to the Korean People’s Army. has hit some of the biggest names in crypto: Binance, KuCoin, Ronin Network, and more. In 2022 alone, they stole over $600 million from the Axie Infinity Ronin bridge. How? They didn’t break into a vault—they tricked employees, exploited outdated software, and used stolen private keys. These aren’t brute-force attacks. They’re surgical. And they keep coming. Even after major exchanges improved security, Lazarus adapted—using new malware, fake airdrops, and social engineering to slip past defenses. Their targets? Exchanges with weak KYC, non-KYC platforms like BloFin or GroveX, and DeFi protocols with poor audit history. If your platform doesn’t have real-time threat monitoring, multi-sig wallets, or HSM-backed key storage, you’re already on their radar.
What makes Lazarus dangerous isn’t just the scale of theft—it’s how they turn stolen crypto into real-world power. They convert ETH and BTC into stablecoins like USDT, move them through chain-hopping bridges, and cash out via underground exchanges in China, Russia, or Iran. That’s why posts about crypto mining in Iran, sanctions evasion, and Iranian crypto outflows keep popping up—they’re connected. Lazarus doesn’t just steal from you. It fuels global financial instability. And if you’re using an unregulated exchange, skipping audits, or ignoring private key security, you’re not just risking your funds—you’re enabling their next move.
Below, you’ll find real reviews of exchanges that have been targeted, security tools that actually work, and red flags that scream "Lazarus next." Whether it’s a fake airdrop, a no-KYC platform with zero transparency, or a DeFi protocol with no code audit, these posts show you exactly where the threats live—and how to avoid them.
North Korean hackers have stolen over $3 billion in cryptocurrency since 2017 using social engineering, not technical exploits. Learn how they target employees, launder funds, and fund nuclear programs - and what you can do to stop the next attack.