North Korean hackers allegedly stole $290 million from Kelp DAO by exploiting a vulnerability in its LayerZero bridge and weak security configuration. This marks the largest crypto theft of 2026 so far, continuing a pattern of high-value attacks by state-linked groups. The incident underscores ongoing cybersecurity risks in decentralized finance and cross-chain protocols.
Background
North Korean hacking groups like Lazarus have systematically targeted cryptocurrency platforms for years, stealing billions to fund state operations. Cross-chain bridges have become particularly vulnerable targets due to their complex security requirements.
- Source
- TechCrunch
- Published
- Apr 21, 2026 at 01:04 AM
- Score
- 8.0 / 10