DOJ Seeks $15.1 Million USDT Stolen by North Korean Hackers to be Forfeited

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated legal action seeking the forfeiture of $15.1 million worth of USDT cryptocurrency stolen by North Korean hackers in 2023. The funds are linked to the group known as APT38, which targeted four overseas virtual currency platforms in 2023. The FBI seized these assets in March 2025 and is now seeking court approval for their forfeiture and return to the victims. Efforts to track down and confiscate the stolen cryptocurrencies continue as APT38 members are suspected of using various methods, such as virtual currency bridges, mixers, trading platforms, and over-the-counter dealers, to launder illicit funds.