North Korea denies $6.3bn Binance hack, calls FBI accusation 'political provocation'

North Korea has denied involvement in the record $6.3 billion cryptocurrency heist from Binance, calling the FBI's accusation a "grave political provocation" and "absurd rhetoric" from the United States. The FBI stated the attack was tied to a hacking entity known as TraderTraitor, the same group behind a $1.5 billion Bybit hack last year. Kim Yo-jong, sister of leader Kim Jong-un, said the US is trying to brand North Korea a "cyber criminal state" and damage its public image, adding Pyongyang has "issues to reconsider" over US hostility. Cybersecurity experts say North Korean hackers are among the world's most prolific crypto thieves, with proceeds funding weapons programmes. Blockchain-analytics firm Elliptic estimates North Korea has stolen $7.6 billion in cryptocurrency this year, while Binance customers withdrew over $4.6 billion after the exchange resumed operations.