Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget was hit by a large theft of digital assets, with multiple outlets attributing the attack to hackers linked to North Korea. Sources differ on the exact dollar value of the stolen funds, citing figures ranging from $351 million to $387.5 million, with one outlet converting the amount to €332.8 million.
Fortune and The Register both described the incident as the largest crypto attack of the year so far, a characterization TechCrunch also reported. The Register noted that suspicion falling on North Korea's government was unsurprising given a pattern of prior attacks attributed to the same actors.
According to Bloomberg, the Bitget hack pushed North Korea's total cryptocurrency haul for the year past $1 billion, though this cumulative figure was not corroborated by the other outlets reviewed.
Euronews framed the incident within a broader trend, reporting that North Korean hackers are suspected in a heist valued at €332.8 million as part of a pattern leading global cryptocurrency hacks this year.
How each side covered it
Left
- Bloomberg reported the Bitget hack pushed North Korea's cumulative crypto theft haul past $1 billion for the year.
- Coverage emphasized the cumulative, ongoing scale of North Korean crypto theft rather than the single incident alone.
“Bitget Hack Pushes North Korean Crypto Haul Past $1 Billion” — Bloomberg
Center
- Center outlets reported theft amounts ranging from $351 million to $387.5 million, or €332.8 million.
- Fortune and The Register both called the Bitget hack the largest crypto attack of the year so far.
- The Register noted the attack fit a recognizable pattern attributed to North Korean hackers.
- Euronews placed the hack within a broader trend of North Korean hackers leading global crypto attacks.
“Bitget blames North Korea for $387.5M crypto wallet raid” — The Register
Questions readers ask
What happened to Bitget?
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget suffered a major theft of digital assets, which multiple outlets suspect was carried out by hackers linked to North Korea.
How much was stolen in the Bitget hack?
Reported figures vary: TechCrunch cited $351 million, Fortune and The Register cited roughly $387 million, and Euronews reported €332.8 million, so the exact amount is disputed among sources.
Why is North Korea suspected in the Bitget hack?
Outlets including The Register and Euronews suspect North Korean hackers based on patterns consistent with prior attacks attributed to the regime, though specific evidence was not detailed in the available reporting.
How does this hack compare to other crypto thefts this year?
Fortune and The Register both described the Bitget hack as the largest cryptocurrency attack of the year so far, a characterization also reflected in TechCrunch's reporting.
What is North Korea's total crypto theft haul this year?
According to Bloomberg, the Bitget hack pushed North Korea's cumulative cryptocurrency theft total for the year past $1 billion, though this figure was not corroborated by other outlets.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- BloombergLeft-leaningBitget Hack Pushes North Korean Crypto Haul Past $1 Billion
- EuronewsCenterNorth Korean hackers suspected in €332.8m crypto heist as it leads global hacks
- FortuneCenterNorth Korea accused of plundering Bitget for $387 million in year’s biggest crypto attack
- TechCrunchCenterNorth Korean hackers suspected in $351M crypto theft, the largest so far this year
- The RegisterCenterBitget blames North Korea for $387.5M crypto wallet raid