In what is a rather surprising global development, North Korea has reported surpassed El Salvador in total Bitcoin holdings after its most recent $1.4 billion Bybit hack. Indeed, Arkham Intelligence reported that the Lazarus hacker group currently holds 13,518 BTC, more than the governments of the Central American nation and Bhutan.
The Lazarus group completed the $1.4 billion theft in February, and it has propelled the nation’s Bitcoin holdings. El Salvador currently holds just 10,635 BTC, while Bhutan holds more than 6,000 BTC. Indeed, both countries have sought to integrate the leading cryptocurrency in their financial operations as a nation.
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North Korea BTC Holdings Surpass El Salvador & Bhutan After Bybit Attack
Although prices have not benefited, there is no denying that 2025 has been a massive year for the cryptocurrency market. The United States has led its own overhaul of its crypto policy. Moreover, it has embraced the asset class, inspiring similar action across the globe.
Yet, there are some countries that have long sought to integrate these assets into their financial infrastructure. Two of which have unfortunately been surpassed by one nation utilizing nefarious means. Indeed, North Korea has passed both El Salvador and Bhutan in Bitcoin holdings after its $1.4 billion Bybit hack.
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El Salvador, under the guidance of President Nayib Bukele, adopted BTC as legal tender in 2021. Since then, they have become a force in the growing industry. Moreover, Bhutan has leaned on Bitcoin mining and careful strategy to bring its holdings to the level it currently stands.
However, North Korea’s Lazarus Group has provided a notable boost to the country’s holdings. Its attack on Bybit was deemed by many the largest to ever take place on a cryptocurrency exchange. Moreover, it has been part of a growing trend. Last year, Lazarus conducted an attack on the Japanese DMM Bitcoin firm, stealing $308 million. In 2022, it attacked the Ronin Network for $615 million.