North Korea Denies FBI Allegations Linking It to $6bn Binance Cryptocurrency Hack

North Korea has rejected allegations by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that it was behind the theft of $6 billion from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, describing the accusation as a “grave political provocation”.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, made the remarks in a statement released Tuesday by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea Rejects FBI Allegations

Kim described the FBI's claim as “absurd rhetoric”, accusing Washington of attempting to portray North Korea as responsible for cybercrimes across different parts of the world.

She said the allegations were intended to damage the country's international image, undermine its national prestige and violate its sovereignty. Kim also maintained that North Korea opposes malicious activities in cyberspace.

FBI Links Hack to TraderTraitor Group

The FBI said on Saturday that a North Korea-affiliated hacking group known as TraderTraitor was responsible for the Binance breach.

The group has also been blamed for stealing $1.5 billion from cryptocurrency platform Bybit in February last year, an incident that was previously regarded as the largest cryptocurrency theft.

News of the Binance attack reportedly triggered a sharp decline in the prices of several major cryptocurrencies.

Trump Questions North Korea's Involvement

US President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about North Korea's involvement after the FBI released its statement.

Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump said the United States was still investigating and did not yet know whether North Korea was responsible.

Trump has previously expressed interest in meeting Kim Jong Un again since returning to office, but those overtures have so far received no public response from Pyongyang.

Kim Yo Jong said the latest allegations further demonstrated what she described as Washington's hostile attitude towards North Korea.

AFP