AI, not quantum computing, is the real threat to blockchain security — forcing exchanges to adopt AI-driven defenses against evolving cyberattacks.
North Korea’s hackers have found a new weapon — and it’s not quantum computing.
In 2025 alone, state-sponsored groups like the Lazarus Group have stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency, using artificial intelligence to supercharge every stage of their operations. AI now scans thousands of smart contracts in minutes, identifies exploitable code, and automates multi-chain attacks once limited to elite cyber teams.
The record-breaking $1.5 billion Bybit hack in February 2025 marked a turning point. Investigators from Elliptic and TRM Labs say North Korean hackers used AI-driven reconnaissance tools and deepfake recruiter profiles to infiltrate internal systems. Once inside, AI algorithms detected weaknesses, executed exploits, and routed stolen funds through Tron-based mixers and over-the-counter brokers, masking their trail with near-machine precision.
Cybersecurity experts note that AI now handles the entire attack lifecycle — from writing malicious code to generating phishing lures and managing laundering paths. As one analyst at Mysten Labs put it,
“Large language models have made cybercrime scalable even small teams can now operate like industrial-scale hackers.”
While quantum computing remains a long-term risk, no existing system can yet break Bitcoin’s ECDSA encryption. Experts estimate it will take a decade or more before quantum decryption becomes realistic. The immediate challenge, they say, is defending against adaptive AI models that evolve faster than traditional security protocols.
Exchanges and DeFi projects are now urged to run continuous, AI-aware security audits that scan for vulnerabilities as fast as attackers do. Firms like Elliptic, Chainalysis, and Mandiant are integrating AI-based monitoring to track suspicious fund flows and detect AI-generated phishing campaigns.
Some blockchain projects, including Mysten Labs and Algorand, are already preparing for quantum threats by developing quantum-resistant cryptography — ensuring long-term resilience while addressing today’s AI risks.
As North Korea’s hackers weaponize AI, the global crypto industry faces a new reality: machine-driven crime that learns, adapts, and scales at lightning speed. Defending against it will require the same technology that made it possible — AI fighting AI.
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