North Korean hackers linked to $286M crypto exploit

Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic suggests North Korean state-sponsored hackers are likely behind the recent $286 million exploit of Solana-based Drift Protocol. The firm identified multiple indicators, including on-chain behavior, laundering patterns, and network signals, that mirror previous attacks attributed to the DPRK. If confirmed, this incident represents a significant portion of the estimated $300 million stolen by DPRK-linked actors this year, funds potentially used to finance weapons programs. The analysis also highlights challenges in tracing such exploits due to Solana's fragmented account model and increasingly cross-chain laundering tactics, emphasizing the need for advanced tracing tools.