A Shocking Rise in BTC Holdings
Imagine this: a country under heavy sanctions, isolated from global finance, and struggling economically suddenly becomes one of the largest Bitcoin holders in the world. How? By hacking, stealing, and laundering crypto. That’s exactly what happened with North Korea, whose infamous hacker group Lazarus now holds 13,518 BTC—more than El Salvador and Bhutan combined!
This massive boost came after the group hacked crypto exchange Bybit on February 21, 2025, stealing $1.4 billion. This isn’t just another hack; it’s the biggest crypto heist ever recorded. And instead of holding stolen ETH, they converted most of it to Bitcoin using DeFi protocol THORChain to make tracking harder.
Key Numbers to Remember:
- 13,518 BTC – North Korea’s total Bitcoin stash.
- 10,635 BTC – Bhutan’s holdings (earned from Bitcoin mining).
- 6,118 BTC – El Salvador’s holdings (purchased as legal tender).
- $1.4 billion – The amount Lazarus stole from Bybit.
- 198,109 BTC – The U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings (from seized assets).
Why This Is a Big Deal
1. Crypto Hacking Is Funding a Rogue Nation
According to the White House, North Korea uses stolen crypto to fund around 50% of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program, including nuclear missiles. This means every major hack isn’t just a financial crime—it’s helping build weapons that threaten global security.
2. DeFi Protocols Are Being Used for Laundering
Instead of traditional banking, hackers use decentralized protocols like THORChain to swap stolen assets for BTC. This raises serious concerns:
- How do we stop criminals from exploiting DeFi?
- Should protocols have better security measures to detect and block stolen funds?
3. Nation-State Crypto Holdings Are Changing the Game
Governments are now key players in the Bitcoin economy:
- North Korea steals BTC.
- El Salvador buys BTC.
- The U.S. seizes BTC.
With North Korea now holding more BTC than El Salvador, it raises questions about how governments should handle crypto reserves, regulations, and security threats.
What This Means for the Future
If North Korea continues hacking, it could become an even bigger Bitcoin whale, affecting crypto markets and security policies. Meanwhile, countries like the U.S. and U.K. are accumulating BTC, signaling that Bitcoin is now a strategic asset at the global level.
Key Takeaways for Crypto Investors & Traders:
✅ Security is everything – Centralized exchanges like Bybit remain vulnerable. Storing assets on a personal cold wallet is always safer.
✅ DeFi needs better tracking – As hackers use DeFi to launder funds, regulators might impose stricter controls, which could affect users.
✅ Governments are watching – As states accumulate BTC, we could see more regulation, taxation, and enforcement in the crypto space.
Final Thought
This isn’t just about one hack—it’s about crypto’s role in global power struggles. Whether you’re a trader, investor, or just a crypto enthusiast, this event shows how Bitcoin is no longer just “magic internet money”—it’s now a tool for geopolitics, warfare, and financial independence.
