North Korea has rejected U.S. claims that it was behind a cyberattack that stole more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world’s largest digital-asset trading platform. The statement was published Tuesday by state news agency KCNA and attributed to Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un.
Kim described the accusation as “absurd rhetoric” and said it reflected what she called Washington’s hostile stance toward Pyongyang. She also accused the FBI of trying to portray North Korea as a “cybercriminal state” and said the United States was attempting to blame the government for cybercrimes around the world.
The FBI said over the weekend that North Korea was responsible for the theft and that members of TraderTraitor, a hacking unit linked to the state, took part in the breach. U.S. authorities said the stolen assets were being converted into Ethereum, which could be used in later steps to launder the funds.
Binance said it covered most of the diverted assets using company funds. The theft could be the largest financial robbery recorded involving cryptocurrency, according to the report.
Kim also said North Korea might “reconsider” unspecified issues in response to what she called U.S. hostility, but did not explain what steps Pyongyang might take. The statement comes as North Korea has remained silent on U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to resume diplomacy through summit meetings.
Sources: Olhar Digital.