North Korea denies role in $6.3bn Binance crypto heist

North Korea has denied US allegations that it orchestrated the record $6.3 billion hack of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, calling the claims "absurd rhetoric" and a political provocation. Kim Yo-jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, rejected accusations from the FBI, Secret Service, and cyber analysts that state-backed hacking group TraderTraitor was responsible for the largest heist in history. She said the US is misleading international opinion to damage North Korea's image. Pyongyang has consistently denied involvement in major cyber attacks, though experts say it relies on such crimes to finance its economy. The TraderTraitor unit, also known as Lazarus Group, was previously blamed for a $1.5 billion Bybit hack in 2025. Binance has resumed trading after freezing affected assets, with customers withdrawing over $3.6 billion since reopening.