Blockchain is pervading countries around the world, even those that have kept isolated. North Korea is hosting its first-ever international cryptocurrency and blockchain conference on Oct. 1, 2018.
North Korea Joins the Blockchain Movement
North Korea will host industry leaders from around the world in its first cryptocurrency and blockchain conference, Oct. 1-3, reports The Straits Times.
The Korean International Blockchain Conference will welcome blockchain and cryptocurrency experts and professionals to North Korea’s capital city, Pyongyang. Through the event, North Korea plans to showcase its advancements in blockchain technology and draw investor attention to new projects. Attendees will also have the chance to meet with North Korean business officials during the event.
North Korea’s open gathering is an unexpected development, given their recently alleged involvement in large-scale cryptocurrency exchange hacks.
On Aug. 24, CryptoSlate reported that North Korean hacker group “Lazarus” launched a malware-infected cryptocurrency trading application for MacOS users that automatically downloaded a virus upon opening.
The fraudulent application downloaded “Fallchill,” a remote access trojan (RAT) virus that is a known signature attack of Lazarus Group. According to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs, the targeted cryptocurrency exchange did not lose any customer funds during the attack.
North Korea Attempts Crypto Mining
North Korea attempted to develop a Bitcoin mining operation last year, according to Yonhap News Agency.
A local report compiled by the research division of Korea Development Bank (KDB) revealed that North Korea may have attempted to mine bitcoin from May 2017 to July 2017, but was unsuccessful. The reasons for discontinuing mining operations were not disclosed.
The same report notes that North Korean technology firm Chosun Expo was developing a cryptocurrency exchange for bitcoin trading at the time.
Given the nation’s interesting past and difficult international relations, it’s still unknown whether international leaders and industry experts will attend North Korea’s first cryptocurrency and blockchain conference.
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