President Donald Trump responded on Tuesday to the FBI’s announcement that North Korean hackers were behind the massive Binance cryptocurrency theft, emphasizing that the investigation is still ongoing. “I’m not concerned. We’re learning about it,” Trump told reporters at his Mar‑a‑Lago estate, adding, “We don’t know if it’s North Korea,” but noting that investigators may yet determine responsibility.
FBI attributes the hack to North Korean group
The FBI identified a hacking collective known as TraderTraitor as the perpetrators of the Binance breach, which reportedly exceeded $6 billion in stolen digital assets – the largest cryptocurrency heist on record. The agency also linked the same group to a $1.5 billion attack on the Bybit exchange last year.
North Korea rejects the allegation
Kim Yo Jong, the senior sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, called the FBI’s statement “a trite provocation” and “absurd rhetoric.” In a formal statement she said the United States continues to spread misunderstanding about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, falsely tying the DPRK to every major cyber‑crime incident that occurs internationally.
“This is not the first time the U.S. has attempted to spread misunderstanding of the DPRK in the international community,” Kim Yo Jong wrote, adding that Washington’s hostile attitude toward the DPRK was once again on display.
Experts note the broader context
Cyber‑security analysts observe that North Korea has increasingly turned to illicit cryptocurrency operations to generate hard currency for its struggling economy and to fund its nuclear program despite stringent U.S.–led sanctions. South Korea’s intelligence service estimated that North Korean hackers stole roughly 1.5 trillion won (about $1.1 billion) in digital assets over a five‑year period ending in 2022.
Historically, the DPRK has been linked to high‑profile cyber incidents, including the 2013 attacks on South Korean financial institutions, the 2014 Sony Pictures breach, and the 2017 WannaCry ransomware outbreak.
U.S. diplomatic backdrop
The Binance incident arrives as President Trump has expressed a desire to restore diplomatic engagement with Kim Jong Un. In recent weeks North Korea announced a test of a new cluster warhead for strategic cruise missiles, underscoring the ongoing security tension.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry warned that North Korea’s illicit cyber activities pose a growing threat to the global digital economy and affirmed close cooperation with the United States and allied partners to counter the danger.
Trump’s stance on cyber‑threats
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized a strong, decisive approach to foreign cyber threats while urging law‑enforcement agencies to pursue thorough investigations. His measured comment on the Binance case reflects confidence that U.S. intelligence will ultimately uncover the truth, without jumping to conclusions that could inflame diplomatic relations.
As the investigation proceeds, both the FBI and the Treasury Department are expected to coordinate with international partners to trace the stolen funds and hold any perpetrators accountable.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
