North Korea denies Binance hack, criticizes FBI probe

North Korea has denied involvement in the recent $6 billion cryptocurrency heist at Binance, calling the U.S. accusation a 'trite provocation.'

The FBI attributed the hack to a North Korean hacking group known as TraderTraitor, which was also linked to a $1.5 billion attack on Bybit last year.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticized the FBI's announcement as part of a broader U.S. effort to misrepresent North Korea's role in cyber incidents.

She stated that North Korea is closely monitoring 'persistent provocations' from the U.S. and reaffirmed the country's stance against what it calls hostile rhetoric.

Experts note that North Korea has increasingly turned to cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft to support its economy and fund its nuclear program despite international sanctions.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned that North Korea’s cyber activities pose a growing threat to the global digital economy and that Seoul is working with the U.S. and other nations to counter it.

The Binance hack occurred amid heightened tensions as North Korea conducted new weapons tests, including a cluster warhead for strategic cruise missiles, in a potential move to increase leverage in U.S. diplomacy.