How North Korea Might Use New Video Games to Mine Cryptocurrency

<p>North Korean hackers are likely to incorporate new play-to-earn (P2E) crypto games into their illicit cyber-enabled financial schemes.</p> <p>Pyongyang has shown increasing interest and capability in utilising new financial technology to obtain valuable foreign currency required for its weapons development programmes. Given the growing popularity of cryptocurrency trading, North Korean hackers are likely to incorporate new play-to-earn (P2E) crypto games into their illicit cyber-enabled financial schemes.</p> <p>Previously reserved for professional gamers winning massive cash prizes at national and global tournaments, video gaming has evolved to now provide amateur gamers and crypto enthusiasts with opportunities to earn large amounts of cryptocurrency with relative ease. Most video games use play-to-win (P2W) mechanics to entice players to complete a series of puzzles, tasks, and activities in order to "beat the game" or advance to the next level. Professional players typically participate in tournaments organised by third parties to win cash prizes and other financial rewards in order to earn money. P2E crypto games, on the other hand, use blockchain technology to enable the earning of cryptocurrency within the game or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can later be sold for cryptocurrency. The technological mechanics of P2E crypto games eliminate the need for tournaments or third-party organisers to provide players with potential financial rewards outside of the game, which introduces new financial risks into the online gaming world.</p> <p>The online gaming industry has a history of illicit actors using its networks and user base to conduct and facilitate cyber-enabled financial crime. North Korean hackers have already demonstrated their ability and intent to exploit the online gaming community to Pyongyang's financial advantage. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reported in 2011 that a joint operation involving North Korean operatives and several South Korean nationals compromised the personal data of