As the U.S. prepares for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, North Korea has become a leading government holder of Bitcoin, largely due to the hacks by the Lazarus Group. This situation positions North Korea ahead of countries like Bhutan and El Salvador, raising questions about its intentions within the global cryptocurrency sphere.
The United States is preparing to launch a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) following President Trump’s Executive Order. Remarkably, North Korea has ascended to become one of the top three global holders of Bitcoin (BTC). This heightened position has emerged amidst allegations that a hacking syndicate, purportedly linked to the North Korean government, has been converting illicit gains into Bitcoin, effectively establishing a covert national savings strategy.
North Korea has surged into the ranks of significant Bitcoin holders, primarily due to the actions of the Lazarus Group, which executed a major heist. This illicit accumulation occurred concurrently with the U.S. announcing its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, implying a possible strategy from North Korea to leverage digital currencies against geopolitical maneuvers. The evolving landscape of Bitcoin ownership illustrates the intersections of digital assets, national strategy, and criminal enterprise.
Original Source: news.bitcoin.com