North Korean Hacker Group Surpasses Tesla in Bitcoin Holdings as Trump Pushes for U.S. Crypto Dominance
The Lazarus Group, a notorious North Korean state-backed hacking organization, now holds more Bitcoin (BTC) than Tesla (TSLA), the electric vehicle giant led by Elon Musk, according to Arkham Intelligence data.
As of now, Lazarus controls 13,441 BTC, valued at approximately $1.14 billion, a 16% increase over Tesla’s 11,509 BTC holdings.
Lazarus Group’s Growing Crypto War Chest
Lazarus Group’s Bitcoin holdings surged following its $1.4 billion exploit of crypto exchange Bybit last month. The hackers siphoned ether (ETH) from the platform, later converting portions into Bitcoin. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou confirmed that 12,836 BTC was distributed across 9,117 unique wallets, adding to Lazarus’ growing crypto reserves.
Tesla’s BTC Strategy vs. Rising Threats
Tesla first acquired Bitcoin four years ago and has since maintained its position as one of the largest publicly listed companies holding BTC. Despite its HODLing strategy, Tesla’s holdings now lag behind those of Lazarus, underscoring the rising influence of cybercriminal organizations in the crypto market.
Trump’s Crypto Vision: A Response to Tesla’s Overshadowing?
The widening gap between Tesla and Lazarus Group in BTC holdings comes at a time when President Donald Trump is advocating for greater cryptocurrency adoption. On Thursday, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to positioning the U.S. as the “undisputed Bitcoin superpower and crypto capital of the world.”
As Trump pushes for a pro-crypto agenda, the question remains: Will Tesla and other U.S. corporations respond to being outpaced by a North Korean hacking syndicate?
The U.S. Government’s Crypto Arsenal
Meanwhile, the U.S. government currently holds 198,109 BTC worth over $16 billion, primarily seized through enforcement actions. Trump has recently hinted at using these reserves as a strategic asset, further aligning his administration’s policies with Bitcoin’s growing prominence.
With the Lazarus Group expanding its Bitcoin control, Trump’s pro-crypto stance could shape how U.S. institutions and corporations react to geopolitical shifts in digital asset dominance.
