On October 30, 2026, one of the largest crimes in the cryptocurrency world occurred: hackers stole over $6 billion from the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. Preliminary data links the attack to an elite North Korean hacking unit.
How the Attack Happened
According to information received from Binance, the breach occurred through a hacked laptop of one of the company’s engineers. This gave the attackers access to a service container, from which they were able to send unauthorized transactions to withdraw funds. As a result of the attack, hackers managed to withdraw a significant portion of the stolen assets in just 20 minutes.
Binance's Response
In response to the situation, Binance announced the suspension of all operations related to deposits and withdrawals. Reports indicate that approximately $3 billion in crypto assets have been frozen. The company assured its users that all funds are safe, and losses will be covered from the company's funds and the SAFU emergency fund.
Damage Assessment and Consequences
The estimated damage from the hackers' actions is around $6.36 billion. Analysts believe that this attack can be linked to North Korean hackers, who are known for their large-scale cyberattacks on financial institutions worldwide. This not only steals funds but also undermines user trust in cryptocurrency exchanges.