Crypto

North Korea Stole Over $1 Billion in Crypto in 2022

Published

1 month ago

February 9, 2023

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According to an unclassified study from the United Nations, cybercriminals operating out of North Korea stole more digital assets in 2022 than in any previous year.

According to Reuters, the UN report was sent to a 15-person committee that is in charge of imposing sanctions on North Korea one week ago.

Following attacks on the computer networks of international aerospace and military corporations, it was discovered that hackers with ties to North Korea were responsible for between $630 million and more than $1 billion worth of crypto assets being stolen in 2017.

The United Nations research found that cyber assaults were more sophisticated than in previous years, making it more difficult than it has ever been to track down monies that have been stolen.

The independent sanctions monitors stated in their report to the United Nations Security Council Committee that “[North Korea] used increasingly sophisticated cyber techniques both to gain access to digital networks involved in cyber finance and to steal information of potential value, including information related to its weapons programs.”

A report published on February 1 by the blockchain analytics company Chainalysis came to a similar conclusion last week. According to this report, North Korean hackers were responsible for the theft of at least $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency in 2022, making it the worst year ever for crypto hacking.

According to the company, the cybercriminal syndicates have been the most “productive bitcoin hackers over the last several years.”

According to Chainalysis, “For comparison, North Korea’s entire exports in 2020 comprised $142 million worth of products,” thus it isn’t a reach to argue that hacking cryptocurrencies is a major portion of the nation’s economy.

According to Chainalysis, at least $1.1 billion of the stolen wealth was acquired via hacks of decentralized finance protocols. This indicates that North Korea was one of the driving factors behind the trend of hacking decentralized financial protocols that accelerated in 2022.

The company also discovered that hackers with ties to North Korea often transfer huge quantities of money to mixers like Tornado Cash and Sinbad.

According to Chainalysis, the pace at which assets stolen by other persons or organizations are transferred to mixers is far lower than the rate at which funds stolen by hackers with ties to North Korea are transferred.

North Korea has frequently denied allegations that it is responsible for cyberattacks; however, the new UN report alleges that North Korea’s primary intelligence bureau, the Reconnaissance General Bureau, utilizes several groups such as Kimsuky, Lazarus Group, and Andariel specifically for the purpose of conducting cyberattacks.

According to the report published by the United Nations, “these actors continued to illicitly target victims in order to earn income and solicit information of value to the DPRK, particularly its weapons programmes.”

Last week, the entire report was presented to the North Korea sanctions committee of the 15-member council. According to recent reports, it is expected that the report will be made public either later this month or early in March.

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Crypto

Australian Banks Ordered to Report Crypto Transactions

Published

57 mins ago

March 22, 2023

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The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has reportedly ordered local banks to report on their exposure to cryptocurrency transactions in the wake of recent banking collapses, including the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Silvergate failures. The regulator is seeking to obtain more information and insight into banking exposures to crypto assets and associated risks.

According to the Australian Financial Review, the APRA has instructed banks to improve their reporting on crypto assets and provide daily updates to the regulator. The agency has started requesting banks to declare their exposures to startups and crypto-related companies, citing three people familiar with the matter. The new measures are reportedly part of the APRA’s increased supervision of the banking sector, aimed at mitigating the risk of similar collapses occurring in Australia’s banking system.

The move comes in the aftermath of the collapse of global banks, including Credit Suisse and SVB, which have raised concerns over the stability of the financial system. On March 19, UBS Group agreed to buy Credit Suisse for $3.2 billion after the latter collapsed over the weekend. The banking sector has been facing pressure from investors and regulators to improve risk management and transparency.

Barrenjoey analyst Jonathan Mott reportedly warned that while the situation “remains stable” for Australian banks, confidence could be quickly disrupted, putting pressure on bank margins. The APRA’s increased scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions is aimed at mitigating this risk, as the regulator seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact of crypto assets on the stability of the banking system.

The Australian government has been taking a cautious approach to regulating the cryptocurrency industry, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently stating that it has no plans to issue a digital version of the Australian dollar. However, the APRA’s move to increase reporting requirements on crypto assets suggests that regulators are taking a more active role in monitoring the sector.

In conclusion, the APRA’s decision to order local banks to report on cryptocurrency transactions reflects the growing concern over the potential risks posed by crypto assets to the stability of the banking system. While the situation in Australia remains stable, the recent collapses of global banks have highlighted the need for improved risk management and transparency in the financial sector. The APRA’s increased scrutiny of the crypto industry is a step towards achieving this goal, as regulators seek to gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact of crypto assets on the stability of the financial system.

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Crypto

Bitcoin Hodlers Experience Profits on Majority of Trading Days

Published

3 hours ago

March 22, 2023

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Bitcoin has been a popular investment asset since its inception in 2009, and data shows that hodlers have experienced profits on the majority of trading days. According to Blockchain.com, Bitcoin hodlers enjoyed profitable days on 88.50% of the 4,593 days the cryptocurrency has been tradable. This challenges the historical narrative that crypto has depreciating volatility, proving that holding Bitcoin is provably profitable in the long run.

The profitability of Bitcoin can be attributed to its hard limit on total supply and seamless global usability. These factors have contributed to its status as a store of value, and the historical price performance of Bitcoin confirms its potential as a profitable investment. However, investors must understand Bitcoin’s market cycles to maximize their profits and avoid buying at the top and selling at the dip.

Out of the 4,593 trading days, only 531 or 11.56% were unprofitable for long-term hodlers. These unprofitable days occurred between December 28, 2022, and June 12, 2022, during which Bitcoin was priced above the range of $26,246.58 and $28,344.5. This emphasizes the importance of understanding market cycles, and investors should exercise caution to avoid significant losses.

While some investors prefer to hold Bitcoin long-term, others make daily trades on crypto exchanges for consistent profits. Regardless of the investment strategy, understanding the market cycles and trends is crucial for maximizing profits.

However, investing in Bitcoin is not without its risks, as demonstrated by the recent security vulnerability discovered by General Bytes. The manufacturer of Bitcoin ATMs had to shut down its cloud services after discovering a vulnerability that allowed attackers to access users’ hot wallets and gain sensitive information. Karel Kyovsky, the founder of General Bytes, stated that multiple security audits since 2021 did not identify the vulnerability.

In conclusion, Bitcoin’s profitability challenges the historical narrative of depreciating volatility in the crypto market. Hodlers have experienced profits on the majority of trading days, making Bitcoin a potentially lucrative investment asset. However, understanding market cycles and trends is essential for investors to maximize their profits and avoid significant losses. Additionally, investors should be aware of the potential risks associated with investing in Bitcoin, such as security vulnerabilities.

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Crypto

MetaMask Enables Direct Bank Transfers for Crypto Purchases in Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

March 22, 2023

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In a move that aims to make self-custody cryptocurrency purchases more accessible in Nigeria, MetaMask has partnered with MoonPay to expand direct on-ramps with local banks. ConsenSys, the parent firm of MetaMask, announced the integration on March 21, allowing users in Nigeria to purchase crypto via instant bank transfers. This new feature is available within the MetaMask mobile and Portfolio DApp, significantly simplifying the process of buying crypto without using credit or debit cards in Nigeria.

Previously, MoonPay had a card integration feature, but about 90% of attempts to buy crypto with a credit or debit card were declined, according to Santos, a MetaMask spokesperson. With the new integration supporting local bank transfers, crypto purchases on MetaMask are now faster and cheaper, allowing users to access crypto without sending assets from a centralized exchange.

Despite the current issues with crypto on-ramps in Nigeria, the country has emerged as a major market for MetaMask, ranking third in mobile monthly active users. It is also among the top ten countries in terms of visitors to metamask.io over the last month, Santos added. Nigeria is one of the world’s top 20 ranked countries in cryptocurrency adoption, according to the Chainalysis 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index. Some reports suggest that 35% of the Nigerian population aged 18 to 60 owned or traded cryptocurrencies in 2022.

This high level of adoption is despite the Central Bank of Nigeria banning banks from servicing crypto exchanges in February 2021. However, in December 2022, local media reported that the Nigerian government was preparing to pass a law recognizing the usage of Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies to keep up to date with “global practices.” This move, coupled with the new integration between MetaMask and MoonPay, may signal a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria.

It is important to note that Nigeria’s cryptocurrency market faces challenges such as a lack of regulatory clarity and security concerns. However, the partnership between MetaMask and MoonPay provides a viable solution for those seeking to invest in crypto without the use of credit or debit cards. As the adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to grow in Nigeria and other countries around the world, we may see further innovations aimed at increasing accessibility and usability.

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