North Korea Rejects US Allegations Linking It to $6.3 Billion Binance Cryptocurrency Heist

North Korea has strongly denied allegations by the United States that it was responsible for a cryptocurrency theft worth more than $6 billion from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, describing the accusation as politically motivated.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the allegations as “absurd rhetoric” and a “grave political provocation” in a statement carried by North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, on Tuesday, November 3.

Her response followed an announcement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which accused a North Korean state-linked hacking group known as TraderTraitor of carrying out the attack. The agency said the group was responsible for stealing more than $6 billion in virtual assets from Binance in what could become one of the largest cryptocurrency heists on record.

Kim Yo Jong accused Washington of repeatedly linking North Korea to international cybercrime, arguing that the allegations were part of a wider effort to damage the country’s reputation. She also said the accusations demonstrated what Pyongyang considers the United States’ continued hostile attitude towards it.

The North Korean official warned that her country had “issues to reconsider” in response to what she described as Washington’s unfriendly approach, although she did not explain what measures Pyongyang might take.

According to the FBI, the attack was linked to TraderTraitor, a hacking operation previously associated with major cryptocurrency thefts. Investigators said the stolen funds were being converted into Ethereum, with concerns that the hackers could attempt to move the assets through other platforms and laundering networks.

Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly linked North Korean hacking operations to major cryptocurrency thefts, arguing that the proceeds provide foreign currency that can help support the country’s economy and weapons programmes. However, Pyongyang has consistently denied involvement in such activities.

The incident has also created uncertainty among Binance customers. Following the reported theft, users withdrew billions of dollars from the exchange, prompting concerns about confidence in its security and financial stability.

Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said withdrawal activity had begun to normalise after an initial surge. The company also said it had replaced most of the stolen assets using its own funds and was gradually restoring withdrawal services across additional networks.

The allegations have added another layer of tension to relations between Washington and Pyongyang, which have remained strained despite US President Donald Trump’s earlier interest in restarting diplomatic talks with Kim Jong Un.

For now, North Korea continues to reject responsibility for the Binance incident, while US investigators maintain their assessment that the attack was carried out by a group linked to the country. The dispute has renewed international attention on the growing threat of cybercrime and the security of the global cryptocurrency industry.