State-Linked Hackers Cause Major Surge in Onchain Malware
- A report by Chainalysis reveals a 420% increase in onchain malware this year, primarily attributed to North Korean and Iranian hackers.
- State-linked hackers accounted for approximately two-thirds of new malware activities on public blockchains.
- The UNC5342 group, linked to North Korea, was identified in previously unattributed activities across BNB Smart Chain, Tron, and Aptos.
- In South Korea, police have referred 18 users of Polymarket to prosecutors for illegal gambling involving about $12.7 million.
- India launched a tokenized bond pilot with three companies issuing a total of $107 million.
- CoinEx announced its closure after nine years due to falling trading volumes and rising regulatory costs.
The surge in onchain malware reflects the growing sophistication of state-sponsored cyber threats, particularly from North Korea and Iran, which leverage public blockchains for durability in their operations. Additionally, the closure of CoinEx highlights ongoing challenges faced by crypto exchanges amid regulatory pressures.
With a reported 420% increase in onchain malware incidents this year, the implications for security within the cryptocurrency space are significant as authorities ramp up investigations into illegal activities like those seen with Polymarket users. (Source)
