North Korean Hackers Strike Bitget for $351M in Crypto

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget just suffered a devastating $351 million hack, marking the largest crypto theft of 2026 so far. Security researchers are pointing fingers at North Korean state-sponsored groups, adding another massive score to Pyongyang's growing crypto war chest. The breach highlights the persistent vulnerability of centralized exchanges despite years of security improvements across the industry.

The crypto world woke up to devastating news as Bitget, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, confirmed a $351 million theft that security researchers are attributing to North Korean hackers. The massive breach represents the single largest crypto theft of 2026, surpassing previous incidents and highlighting the persistent threat posed by state-sponsored cybercriminals.

The attack bears the hallmarks of North Korea's notorious Lazarus Group, according to preliminary analysis from blockchain security firms. These state-backed hackers have systematically targeted crypto exchanges and DeFi protocols, stealing an estimated $3 billion since 2017 to fund the country's weapons programs and circumvent international sanctions.

Bitget's security team detected the breach early Friday morning when unusual withdrawal patterns triggered automated alerts. By then, the attackers had already moved substantial amounts of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets through a sophisticated network of mixer services designed to obscure the funds' trail. The exchange immediately halted all withdrawals and launched an investigation with help from Chainalysis and other blockchain forensics specialists.