In a confidential report, the United Nations revealed that North Korea's Lazarus Group illicitly transferred $147.5 million worth of stolen cryptocurrency from HTX, a crypto exchange owned by TRON founder Justin Sun, back to North Korea in 2023. The funds were funneled using the sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash.

The report also disclosed that North Korean hackers have executed some of the most lucrative hacks in the crypto and DeFi sectors, with Tornado Cash being their preferred tumbler. In 2023, North Korean hackers focused on DeFi, stealing approximately $429 million.

Despite a decrease in the total amount stolen compared to 2022, the number of hacks reached a record high of 20, coinciding with a downturn in the crypto market. However, the blockchain analysis firm estimated that the total stolen cryptocurrency amounted to just over $1 billion.

This report underscores the need for robust security measures in the DeFi and crypto sectors. Despite the challenges, the market's resilience and potential for growth remain optimistic.