North Korea rejects FBI accusation over $6.3 billion Binance hack

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, rejected the US allegation in a statement published by state news agency KCNA on 3 November. She called the accusation absurd and described the attempt to link North Korea to the theft as a political provocation.

The FBI said on 31 October that North Korea was responsible for the theft and used the name TraderTraitor for the cyber activity it attributed to the country. It published cryptocurrency addresses it said were connected to the actors, but did not set out the full basis for its attribution.

Blockchain analysis firm TRM Labs also linked the attack to a group known as TraderTraitor, according to ANP/DPA. US President Donald Trump said on 31 October that it was not yet clear whether North Korea was involved, although investigators might still determine that it was.

Binance said its internet-connected hot wallet was attacked on 29 October, leaving approximately $6.3 billion in token assets stolen. The exchange has promised to cover user losses with company funds and its user protection fund.

In an update dated 31 October, Binance said about $3 billion in affected assets had been frozen on the blockchain. Frozen assets have not necessarily been recovered.