The FBI confirmed North Korea orchestrated the $6 billion (USD) Binance hack on 31 October 2026, asking the DeFi community to block linked Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana addresses. Bitcoin traded at $78,046, up +0.81%. The news barely moved the price, a reminder that security shocks and market moves do not always align.
What actually happened
The FBI listed hundreds of addresses tied to the attack, while blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis said attackers have already used 'thousands addresses' and expects that number to keep growing, according to CoinDesk. Separately, Nasdaq-listed Next Technology Holding said it may sell or borrow against its 5,833 BTC, citing exchange security risks tied to the Binance hack and concerns about quantum computing, according to CoinDesk. The company said none of its coins are held at Binance. Its stake was valued near $450 million (USD). Bitcoin traded at $78,046, up +0.81% over 24 hours, with a 24-hour high of $78,134 and a low of $77,303. Trading volume reached $50.38 billion, and market capitalisation stood at $1.57 trillion.
How we got here
The Binance hack, estimated at $6 billion, is one of the largest crypto thefts reported this year. The FBI's notice listed hundreds of addresses, but Chainalysis says attackers already used thousands more and the list keeps growing, a sign of how fast stolen funds move across chains. The timing overlaps with Bitcoin's 18th anniversary. The white paper, published by Satoshi Nakamoto, turns 18 this week, and commentators argue its cultural impact now outweighs the network itself, according to CoinDesk. Separately, small business owners are still covering the cost of the bailouts Bitcoin was built to answer, according to Onramp CEO Michael Tanguma, cited by CoinDesk.
Why this matters for you
For holders, the Binance hack is a reminder that exchange custody carries risk, even on large platforms. Self-custody and cold storage remain the main defenses highlighted by white paper anniversary commentary. For builders, the FBI's address list adds pressure on DeFi protocols to screen incoming funds, which could slow permissionless design. For investors watching corporate treasuries, Next Technology Holding's potential $450 million sale shows how security headlines can push public companies to reconsider Bitcoin allocations. Today's price move, +0.81%, suggests the broader market has not priced in these risks as urgent, at least for now.
The bigger question
If nation-state actors can steal billions from major exchanges and move funds through thousands of addresses faster than regulators can list them, can any centralized custody model ever be fully secure? Bitcoin's design assumed individuals would hold their own keys. Eighteen years later, most users still rely on exchanges. Does crypto's growth depend on better custody technology, or on more people learning to self-custody the way the white paper intended?
What to watch
Chainalysis expects the list of hacker-controlled addresses to keep growing in coming weeks. Next Technology Holding has not set a date for any bitcoin sale or loan. The next scheduled halving arrives in 2028, a factor individual miners are already weighing, per CoinDesk. Bonuz will continue tracking both stories as they develop.
This article is information, not financial advice. Prices are a snapshot and change constantly. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Do your own research.
