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CryptoMediumUpdated×19•Originally published 22 April 2026•Updated 24 April 2026•
1 min read

North Korea Linked to $578M Crypto Heists in April Following Kelp DAO Exploit

Key Facts

1North Korean-linked groups were tied to crypto thefts exceeding $578 million during the month of April.
2Attacks expanded across protocols, companies, and end users following the Kelp DAO exploit.

Recent reports have linked North Korean-sponsored hacking groups to cryptocurrency thefts exceeding $578 million in April, centered around the $292 million Kelp DAO rsETH bridge exploit. In a significant update, the Arbitrum Security Council has specifically quantified the frozen assets at 30,000 ETH to mitigate the impact, sparking intense debate over decentralization. Meanwhile, Lido Labs has specified its proposed compensation amount as 2,500 stETH, valued at approximately $5.8 million, to help cover the shortfall stemming from its 9% exposure to the exploited protocol. On-chain data shows that 75,700 stolen ETH tokens have already been laundered into BTC via THORChain and Umbra, reaching a valuation of $175 million. These events continue to pressure the DeFi ecosystem, as evidenced by Aave protocol deposits retreating to $29.6 billion.