U.S. authorities have seized $15 million in USDT (Tether) connected to North Korea's APT38 hacking group, a move aimed at disrupting the nation's cyber-financing schemes. This action is part of ongoing cybersecurity enforcement efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI.
The seizure underscores the U.S. government's commitment to combating cybercrime and dismantling illicit finance networks associated with the North Korean regime. Despite the significant seizure, the cryptocurrency markets have not experienced any notable impact on USDT trading volume or overall liquidity.
U.S. Seizes $15 Million USDT from APT38 Hackers
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of $15 million USDT, targeting North Korea's military hackers known as APT38. These assets were seized following enforcement actions that took place in March 2025.
This operation involved close cooperation between the FBI and various other agencies tasked with tracing and confiscating USDT linked to cybercrime operations conducted by North Korean entities. The move is a component of broader international initiatives designed to counter illicit financial activities.
USDT Seizure Minimizes Market Disruption
The seized USDT did not significantly impact the trading activity of the cryptocurrency, primarily because the funds were not actively being traded on the market. Tether's implementation of a blocklisting mechanism for these assets played a crucial role in ensuring minimal disruption to the broader market.
This operation highlights the increasing scrutiny on North Korea's financial networks and emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in addressing state-sponsored cybercrime.
Lazarus Group History Sparks Continued Enforcement Actions
This recent seizure follows a pattern of enforcement actions against North Korean-linked financial crimes, including previous seizures in 2022 and 2023 that targeted the Lazarus Group. This indicates a consistent strategy in pursuing financial illicit activities orchestrated by North Korea.
Industry experts anticipate that regulatory efforts will continue, with the potential for further asset seizures if North Korea persists in utilizing cryptocurrencies to finance its illicit operations.