All news with #cryptocurrency tag

U.S. Launches Strike Force Against Chinese Crypto Scams

🚨The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI and Secret Service have created the Scam Center Strike Force to disrupt Chinese-operated cryptocurrency scam networks that reportedly steal nearly $10 billion from Americans annually. The team focuses on tracing illicit funds, seizing cryptocurrency and coordinating international partners to dismantle scam infrastructure based in Southeast Asia. Authorities say many operations run from criminal compounds where workers are victims of trafficking. More than $401 million in crypto has already been seized and additional forfeiture actions are underway.

U.S. Sanctions 10 North Korean Financial and IT Facilitators

🛡️ The U.S. Treasury on Tuesday sanctioned eight individuals and two entities tied to North Korea's global financial network for laundering proceeds from cybercrime and fraudulent IT-worker schemes. The list names Jang Kuk Chol and Ho Jong Son, linked to $5.3 million in cryptocurrency managed for First Credit Bank, as well as Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company (KMCTC), its president U Yong Su, and Ryujong Credit Bank. Treasury said the funds help finance Pyongyang's weapons and cyber programs, while blockchain firm TRM Labs reported sustained crypto inflows indicative of salary-routing activity.

U.S. Treasury Sanctions North Korean Bankers, IT Scammers

⚖️ The U.S. Treasury's OFAC imposed sanctions on two North Korean financial institutions and eight individuals accused of laundering cryptocurrency stolen in cyberattacks and operating fraudulent IT worker schemes. Designated entities include Ryujong Credit Bank and Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company (KMCTC), plus named bankers linked to ransomware proceeds. The actions block property under U.S. jurisdiction and warn financial institutions of secondary sanctions and enforcement risk for transacting with the listed parties.

US Seizes $15 Billion in Crypto from Scam Kingpin Leader

💰 The U.S. Department of Justice has seized $15 billion in bitcoin tied to Chen Zhi, leader of the Prince Group, a transnational criminal network that ran large-scale “pig butchering” cryptocurrency investment and romance scams. Unsealed court documents describe fortified forced-labor compounds in Cambodia, automated call centers, and over 100 shell companies spanning 30+ countries. The Treasury’s OFAC also sanctioned Chen Zhi and 146 associates as part of the coordinated action.

Bybit Heist Drives Record $2bn North Korean Crypto Haul

💰 North Korea-linked hackers have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency so far in 2025, according to blockchain analysis firm Elliptic. The total is the highest annual haul on record and is driven largely by a February $1.46bn theft from exchange Bybit. Elliptic attributes over 30 separate hacks this year and warns attackers are increasingly using social engineering and sophisticated laundering to hide proceeds.

Massive npm Supply Chain Attack Compromises 18 Packages

🔓 Security firm Aikido uncovered a coordinated supply chain attack that injected obfuscated, browser-based malware into 18 popular npm packages — including chalk, debug, and ansi-styles — collectively receiving two billion weekly downloads. The malicious updates, pushed beginning September 8, intercept and manipulate web3 and crypto interactions in the browser to silently rewrite payment destinations and approvals. The campaign originated from a phishing operation that abused a typosquatted domain (npmjs.help) to compromise maintainer accounts, and although the attacker demonstrated web3 knowledge, tracked losses were modest (~$970). Researchers warn enterprise defenses are largely blind to this API-level interceptor and call for stronger attestation and signed publication workflows.

Scattered Spider Member Sentenced to 10 Years in US

🔒 Noah Michael Urban, a 20-year-old member of the Scattered Spider cybercrime gang, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in April 2025. The court also ordered $13 million in restitution and three years of supervised release; Urban called the sentence unjust. Prosecutors say Urban and co-conspirators used SIM swapping and social engineering between August 2022 and March 2023 to steal at least $800,000 and hijack cryptocurrency accounts. His case is part of broader DoJ actions against Scattered Spider as the group forges alliances with other criminal collectives.