North Korea Sued Over $1.5 Billion Crypto Heist Linked to Lazarus Group

North Korea's alleged involvement in the $1.5 billion cryptocurrency theft from ByBit in early 2025 has sparked international attention, highlighting the evolving relationship between cyber warfare, intelligence operations, and state financing.

The incident led to a civil lawsuit filed by ByBit against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), its Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), and the Lazarus Group in August 2026. The U.S. authorities have identified Lazarus as a DPRK-linked hacking organisation responsible for the February 2025 cyberattack.

The ByBit attack was one of the largest cryptocurrency heists ever recorded, with approximately $1.5 billion in digital assets stolen. The incident has raised questions about the relationship between state security institutions, economic pressure, sanctions evasion, and the financing of military capabilities.