Today in crypto: A new report from blockchain security firm CertiK reveals that North Korea-linked hackers stole approximately $2.06 billion in cryptocurrency during 2025, accounting for roughly 60% of the $3.4 billion lost to hacks last year. Meanwhile, Ether treasury firm Bitmine Immersion Technologies is slowing its aggressive accumulation pace, and US Senate Democrats are pressing ethics concerns ahead of a key markup on a crypto market structure bill.
CertiK report details scale of North Korea’s crypto theft operations
CertiK’s latest Skynet report, shared exclusively with Cointelegraph, attributes $2.06 billion of 2025’s total crypto security losses to groups linked to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The findings, based on data from independent onchain researcher Taylor Monahan, document 79 DPRK-linked incidents out of 656 total crypto security breaches last year.
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The report concludes that North Korea has effectively industrialized cryptocurrency theft into a core state revenue mechanism. Between 2016 and early 2026, DPRK-linked actors stole an estimated $6.75 billion across 263 documented incidents. Proceeds are believed to fund the regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, highlighting the country’s growing reliance on digital assets to generate hard currency.
CertiK’s analysis identifies a strategic shift from opportunistic hot wallet compromises to fewer, higher-value operations targeting the largest pools of capital. In 2025, DPRK groups were responsible for only about 12% of total incidents but accounted for 60% of stolen value, underscoring what the firm describes as a focus on precision and scale.
Bitmine slows Ether accumulation after aggressive buying spree
Bitmine Immersion Technologies announced Monday it is reducing the pace of its Ether purchases after acquiring more than 100,000 tokens per week over the last three weeks. The company purchased 26,659 ETH in the past week, down from its previous weekly rate, but remains on track to accumulate 5% of Ether’s 120.7 million circulating supply by the end of 2026.
Bitmine chairman Tom Lee stated the firm is adjusting its strategy: “We have decided to slow down our pace of weekly accumulation from >100,000 per week as we originally targeted reaching the ‘alchemy of 5%’ target in late 2026.” Lee reiterated his belief that a “crypto spring” has begun, pointing to Ether’s price correlation with software stocks as supporting evidence.
Senate Banking Committee faces ethics debate over CLARITY Act
The US Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to consider a markup on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY) on Thursday, after months of delays. The bill, which passed the House in July 2025, addresses stablecoin yield, tokenized equities, and ethics provisions. While the Senate Agriculture Committee passed its version in January, the legislation must clear both panels to address securities and commodities law aspects.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told Cointelegraph: “Negotiations continue to be positive, and I remain confident we can get a bipartisan bill over the finish line this Congress. Americans deserve a well-regulated market with strong consumer protections and real ethics reforms so politicians can’t cash in on their insider status for personal gain.”
Prediction markets on Polymarket show mixed sentiment on the bill’s passage, reflecting uncertainty around the ethics provisions that some Democrats say are essential for their support.
Conclusion
Today’s developments underscore three critical themes in crypto: the persistent threat of state-sponsored hacking, the strategic accumulation behavior of institutional Ether holders, and the ongoing legislative tug-of-war in Washington. As North Korea refines its crypto theft operations and US lawmakers debate market structure rules, the industry faces both security and regulatory headwinds that will shape its trajectory through 2026.
FAQs
Q1: How much did North Korea-linked hackers steal in 2025?
According to CertiK’s Skynet report, DPRK-linked groups stole approximately $2.06 billion in cryptocurrency during 2025, representing about 60% of the $3.4 billion total lost to crypto hacks.
Q2: Why is Bitmine slowing its Ether purchases?
Bitmine Immersion Technologies reduced its weekly Ether accumulation from over 100,000 tokens to 26,659, citing a strategic adjustment while still aiming to hold 5% of Ether’s circulating supply by end of 2026.
Q3: What is the CLARITY Act and why is it controversial?
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is a US crypto market structure bill that passed the House in July 2025. It faces Senate debate over ethics provisions, stablecoin yield rules, and tokenized equities, with some Democrats demanding stronger ethics reforms before supporting it.
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