North Korea denies role in Binance heist as customers withdraw billions

North Korea has firmly denied FBI allegations that it orchestrated a $US6.3 billion heist from crypto exchange Binance, branding the accusations as "absurd rhetoric" and disinformation from the United States. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dismissed the claims in a statement from North Korean state media, insisting the allegations represented Washington's continued hostility towards Pyongyang.

Binance customers have since withdrawn $US4.64 billion in assets following the temporary suspension of withdrawals, prompting the company to continue testing its remaining networks and assets. The FBI attributed the cyber theft to a North Korean state-sponsored unit called TraderTraitor, which allegedly converted the stolen funds into Ethereum and planned to launder them.

Cybersecurity experts have noted North Korean hackers as among the world's most prolific crypto thieves, with proceeds funding the country's weapons programs. Despite the allegations, Kim Yo Jong warned that North Korea would reconsider unspecified issues due to the "very unpleasant US hostile attitude."