How many Bitcoins does North Korea have?

North Korea now ranks among governments with the largest Bitcoin holdings. The country holds 13,562 Bitcoins. This digital hoard is valued at over $1.14 billion. North Korea has passed El Salvador and Bhutan. It is now the third-largest holder of this digital asset. The United States and the United Kingdom hold more Bitcoin.

North Korea's Bitcoin reserves grew after the Lazarus Group cyberattack. This attack targeted the Bybit exchange on February 21, 2025. The Lazarus Group has ties to the North Korean government. They stole over $1.4 billion in digital currency. Much of it was changed into Bitcoin. These Bitcoins were added to the country's reserves.

This move happens as the US launched its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This raises concerns about the effects on geopolitics. It also raises concerns about the impact on the cryptocurrency market. Many think Pyongyang is trying to get around international sanctions. They believe North Korea wants to create a financial reserve that is not controlled by others. This reserve would not be easy to trace or freeze. The decentralized nature of Bitcoin makes it attractive for this purpose. North Korea could use these funds to support its economy. It could also use them to fund its weapons programs. Sanctions have made it hard for North Korea to access traditional financial systems. Bitcoin offers a way to bypass these restrictions.