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Blockchain investigator ZachXBT has uncovered a startling revelation: a network of North Korean crypto devs is reportedly earning up to $500,000 each month through illicit activities. This discovery sheds light on a sophisticated scheme involving at least 21 developers, who operate under false identities and use malicious code to syphon off significant amounts of money from various cryptocurrency projects. This new insight underscores the need for enhanced security measures and more rigorous regulatory frameworks in the crypto industry. 
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<h2 id="b-the-investigation-unmasking-the-north-korean-crypto-devs-b">The Investigation: Unmasking the North Korean Crypto Devs</h2> 
ZachXBT’s investigation, shared with his 618,000 followers on X, details how these <a href="https://www.cryptotimes.io/2024/08/16/north-korean-devs-earning-500k-monthly-in-crypto-zachxbt/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">North Korean crypto devs</a> are exploiting the digital currency sector. According to his findings, a single North Korean entity, likely employing a team of 21 individuals, has been funnelling between $300,000 and $500,000 monthly. These North Korean Crypto Devs have been working on over 25 different crypto projects, using pseudonymous identities to hide their true affiliations. 
The investigation was triggered when a company reported that $1.3 million had been stolen from their treasury through malicious code. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that several North Korean IT workers were involved in the theft. ZachXBT’s probe traced these funds back to a cluster of developers who received $375,000 in just the past month alone. Historical transactions showed a staggering $5.5 million flowing through these North Korean Crypto Devs from July 2023 to early 2024, leading back to North Korean-based operatives. 
Among the identified individuals is Sim Hyon Sop, a North Korean developer previously sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged involvement in financial transfers supporting North Korea’s weapons programs. 
<h2 id="b-north-korean-cybercrime-expanding-threats-b">North Korean Cybercrime: Expanding Threats</h2> 
ZachXBT’s findings add a new dimension to the ongoing problem of North Korean cybercrime. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has been involved in various cybercrimes, including phishing schemes, software exploitation, and corporate infiltrations. These activities are often orchestrated by state-sponsored groups like the notorious Lazarus Group, which has been linked to over $3 billion in stolen crypto assets between 2017 and 2023. 
Further investigation by ZachXBT uncovered connections to Sang Man Kim, another OFAC-sanctioned individual implicated in North Korean cyber activities. Kim, accused of facilitating payments for North Korea’s overseas worker delegation and selling IT equipment to North Korean-affiliated teams in China and Russia, received $2 million in crypto. 
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ZachXBT’s research revealed that some of the developers were recruited through agencies, while others were recommended by peers. Notably, some individuals who claimed to be based in the United States and Malaysia were found to have overlapping Russian IP addresses. According to sources, one developer even accidentally leaked additional identities, exposing the extensive reach of the network. 
<h2 id="b-the-global-implications-of-north-korean-crypto-infiltration-b">The Global Implications of North Korean Crypto Infiltration</h2> 
The exposure of North Korean crypto devs making $500,000 a month highlights significant concerns for global security and the integrity of the cryptocurrency industry. The funds allegedly funnelled back to North Korea could potentially support the country’s controversial weapons development programs. 
ZachXBT’s findings point to an urgent need for heightened vigilance and improved due diligence within the crypto sector. As North Korea continues to exploit the anonymity and decentralisation inherent in cryptocurrencies, it is crucial for organisations to implement robust security measures to prevent similar infiltrations. 
The crypto community and global regulators must remain vigilant against these evolving threats to ensure that the cryptocurrency revolution does not become a tool for nefarious state-sponsored activities. Effective countermeasures and increased transparency are essential to safeguarding the industry’s integrity and protecting against future breaches. 
For ongoing updates and more in-depth coverage of this and other important developments, stay tuned to <a href="https://thebitjournal.com/">TheBITJournal</a>.

North Korean Crypto Devs Unmasked: $500K Monthly Earnings Exposed

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