The U.S. has linked North Korean-backed hackers to last month’s $615 million crypto heist on the popular online game Axie Infinity.<\/p>\n
The FBI linked the breach to a group called Lazarus, which is believed to be controlled by North Korea’s primary intelligence bureau.<\/p>\n
The revelation came after the FBI identified the wallet used in the hack.<\/p>\n
“Through our investigations, we were able to confirm Lazarus Group and APT38, cyber actors associated with [North Korea], are responsible for the theft,” the FBI said in a statement on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced new sanctions against Lazarus’ identified Ethereum wallet on Thursday.<\/p>\n
North Korea’s hacking program is reportedly used for funding the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The strategy according to a United Nations panel allows the country to bypass sanctions.<\/p>\n
“The United States is aware that the DPRK has increasingly relied on illicit activities – including cybercrime – to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs as it tries to evade robust US and UN sanctions,” a Treasury Department spokesperson said.<\/p>\n