North Korea Bitcoin Reserve Overview
North Korea is estimated to control approximately 13,500 BTC, accumulated almost entirely through state-sponsored cyber theft conducted by the Lazarus Group and other DPRK-linked actors. Major attributed thefts include the Bybit hack (~$1.4B, 2025), Ronin/Axie (~$625M, 2022), Atomic Wallet, and WazirX. The U.S. Treasury OFAC has sanctioned multiple DPRK-linked addresses.
Policy Highlights
- Cryptocurrency theft attributed to Lazarus Group (Reconnaissance General Bureau)
- Funds used to evade UN sanctions and finance missile and nuclear programs
- TornadoCash and other mixers used to obfuscate stolen funds
- OFAC has sanctioned multiple DPRK-controlled wallet addresses
- Chainalysis estimates DPRK stole $1.5B+ in cryptocurrency in 2024-2025 alone
North Korea Bitcoin Reserve Updates
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2025-02-21Bybit hack — Lazarus-linked actors stole approximately $1.4B in ETH and other assets, partly converted to BTC.Related: Bybit
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2023-09-12OFAC sanctioned additional DPRK-linked mixers and wallet clusters.Related: OFAC SDN
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2022-03-23Ronin Bridge / Axie Infinity exploited — $625M stolen by Lazarus Group.Related: Ronin Hack
North Korea Bitcoin Reserve FAQs
Does North Korea hold Bitcoin reserves?
North Korea holds approximately 13,500 BTC. Current reserve status: Illicit.
How much Bitcoin does North Korea own in 2026?
As of May 22, 2026, North Korea is associated with roughly 13,500 BTC based on on-chain analysis and public disclosures.
Is Bitcoin legal in North Korea?
North Korea is estimated to control approximately 13,500 BTC, accumulated almost entirely through state-sponsored cyber theft conducted by the Lazarus Group and other DPRK-linked actors.
Does North Korea have a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?
North Korea's reserve status is classified as 'Illicit'. A Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a government-held Bitcoin stockpile; this page tracks whether North Korea has established, proposed, or has no such reserve, with the verified timeline above.
How did North Korea acquire its Bitcoin?
Sovereign Bitcoin holdings are typically acquired through criminal asset seizures, direct treasury purchases, mining, or donations. The timeline above details how North Korea accumulated its position.
Is cryptocurrency taxed in North Korea?
Crypto taxation varies by jurisdiction and commonly covers capital gains, income, or VAT/GST treatment. For North Korea, consult the policy summary above and a qualified local tax advisor, as rules change frequently.
Can you legally buy and hold Bitcoin in North Korea?
In most jurisdictions individuals may buy and hold Bitcoin through registered exchanges, though some apply licensing or restrictions. Review North Korea's regulatory stance above ('Illicit') for the current position.
What is North Korea's cryptocurrency regulation?
North Korea is estimated to control approximately 13,500 BTC, accumulated almost entirely through state-sponsored cyber theft conducted by the Lazarus Group and other DPRK-linked actors.
Is Bitcoin mining allowed in North Korea?
Bitcoin mining policy ranges from full support to outright bans depending on energy policy and regulation. The country summary and timeline above note any mining-specific rules applicable to North Korea.
When was North Korea's Bitcoin policy last updated?
This page reflects the latest verified data as of May 22, 2026, compiled from primary sources including the Federal Register, government press releases, parliamentary records, and on-chain analysis.
How is North Korea's Bitcoin reserve data verified?
All figures are cross-checked against primary sources: government press releases, parliamentary and court records, on-chain forensic analysis, and reputable journalism (Reuters, Cointelegraph, CoinDesk). Estimates are clearly marked where attribution is contested.
Official Sources & Data References for North Korea
All data on this page is compiled from primary, verifiable sources. Click any source below to verify directly.