Devoured - April 21, 2026
North Korea's Lazarus is likely behind the $292M Kelp DAO Hack (2 minute read)

North Korea's Lazarus is likely behind the $292M Kelp DAO Hack (2 minute read)

Crypto security Read original

LayerZero attributes a $292 million cryptocurrency exploit of Kelp DAO to North Korea's state-sponsored Lazarus hacking group.

What: LayerZero has identified the North Korean Lazarus group as the likely perpetrator behind a $292 million exploit targeting Kelp DAO, marking one of the largest cryptocurrency heists in recent history.
Why it matters: This represents a continuation of state-sponsored attacks on DeFi infrastructure, demonstrating that even established protocols remain vulnerable to sophisticated attackers with nation-state resources.
Takeaway: If you're building or working with DeFi protocols, review your security practices and consider additional auditing given the escalating sophistication of attacks targeting crypto infrastructure.
Decoder
  • Lazarus Group: North Korean state-sponsored hacking organization known for major cryptocurrency thefts and cyberattacks, previously linked to the WannaCry ransomware and Sony Pictures hack
  • Kelp DAO: Decentralized autonomous organization involved in liquid restaking protocols for Ethereum
  • LayerZero: Cross-chain interoperability protocol that enables communication between different blockchains
  • DeFi: Decentralized Finance, blockchain-based financial services that operate without traditional intermediaries
Original article

LayerZero identified North Korean hacker group Lazarus as the likely perpetrator of the $292 million Kelp DAO exploit.