FBI Links North Korea's TraderTraitor to Record $6.43 Billion Binance Crypto Heist

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   FBI Attributes Record $6.43 Billion Binance Heist to North Korea

   The FBI has officially linked the record-breaking theft of over $6 billion in virtual assets from Binance to TraderTraitor, a North Korea-aligned elite hacking group. The group is also known as Jade Sleet, Pressure Chollima, PUKCHONG, Slow Pisces, and UNC4899. The FBI, US Secret Service, and IRS-CI observed the attackers converting stolen assets primarily into Ethereum. Binance has since resumed withdrawals, though the exchange experienced significant net outflows immediately following the reopening of its services. The FBI has published over 600 attacker addresses to track ongoing laundering efforts.

   Why it matters

   This event represents the largest cryptocurrency heist on record. The use of DeFi and instant swap services to mask stolen funds complicates recovery efforts for international law enforcement. Market stability remains a concern as users react to the breach.

   What is confirmed

   • The FBI attributed the Binance cryptocurrency theft to North Korea's TraderTraitor.
   • The heist involved more than $6 billion in virtual assets.
   • TraderTraitor is also tracked as Jade Sleet, Pressure Chollima, PUKCHONG, Slow Pisces, and UNC4899.
   • The FBI, US Secret Service, and IRS-CI observed the threat actor converting stolen assets primarily into Ethereum.
   • Binance has resumed withdrawals following the breach.
   • The FBI published over 600 attacker addresses tied to the heist.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Binance saw $3.64 billion in net outflows in the first nine and a half hours after reopening withdrawals.
   • Binance outflows hit $4.7 billion after the hack.

   What to watch next

   • Evidence of stolen Ethereum moving through specific DeFi protocols
   • Recovery of assets from the 600 flagged addresses
   • Official statements from Binance regarding the total final loss amount
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. thehackernews.com — The Hacker News | #1 Trusted Source for Cybersecurity News
   2. www.securityweek.com — Stolen AI Reasoning Could Help China Build Cheaper Rivals
   3. decrypt.co — OpenAI Launches GPT-6.1 Terra, Its Half-Good AI Model at Half the Price
   4. WSJ — Behind the Scenes of Crypto’s Biggest Nightmare: a Record-Breaking Cyber Heist
   5. The Washington Post — How suspected North Korean hackers swiped billions in crypto in only minutes
   6. The New York Times — How Binance’s $6.3 Billion Hack Went Down
   7. CNN — Notorious hacker says stolen crypto is like ‘holding a hot potato’
   8. Fox Business — North Korea responsible for $6 billion Binance cryptocurrency hack, FBI says
   9. The Hacker News — FBI Links North Korea's TraderTraitor to Record $6.43 Billion Binance Crypto Heist
   10. TechCrunch — Binance resumes withdrawals following $6.3 billion breach
   11. CNN — Binance withdrawals resume following $6 billion hack
   12. CNBC — Binance sees $3.64 billion in net outflows as withdrawals resume after massive hack
   confidence 95%