Why did Chainalysis partner with South Korea’s national police?

Chainalysis signed an agreement with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) to strengthen the country's ability to investigate crypto-related crime. The partnership focuses on improving blockchain investigation skills, training and access to specialised tools.

What does the Chainalysis-KNPA partnership include?

The agreement provides South Korean investigators with blockchain analytics training, certification programmes and practical investigative support. The goal is to help law enforcement better track illicit cryptocurrency transactions and criminal networks.

Is the partnership mainly focused on North Korean hackers?

North Korean cybercrime is a major concern, but Chainalysis says the partnership is broader than a single threat. The initiative is designed to help South Korean authorities combat scams, money laundering, hacking groups and other crypto-related crimes.

Why is North Korea a major focus in crypto crime investigations?

North Korea has been repeatedly linked to large-scale cryptocurrency thefts and cyberattacks. According to research cited by Chainalysis, North Korean-linked actors were responsible for approximately $578 million in crypto theft during April alone.

How much crypto crime has been linked to North Korea?

CrowdStrike estimates that North Korean hackers were responsible for roughly $2 billion in crypto-related losses during 2025. That figure represented a significant increase from the previous year.

How can blockchain analytics help police investigate crypto crime?

Blockchain analytics tools allow investigators to trace cryptocurrency movements across wallets and exchanges. This helps law enforcement identify suspicious transactions, follow illicit fund flows and build cases against criminal organisations.

What types of crypto crimes is South Korea targeting?

Authorities are focusing on a wide range of offences including hacking, investment scams, money laundering, fraud and state-sponsored cybercrime. South Korea has become increasingly active in pursuing crypto-related criminal investigations.

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Chainalysis joins South Korea’s crypto crime crackdown

Q: What is South Korea’s Money Laundering Eradication Task Force?

The Money Laundering Eradication Task Force is a recently launched multi-agency initiative led by South Korea’s Economic Crime Investigation Division. Its mission is to strengthen enforcement against crypto-based financial crime and illicit transactions.

Written by Mahathir BayenaPublished Jun 10, 2026, 8:11 AM

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean National Police Agency to strengthen South Korea’s ability to investigate cryptocurrency-related crime.

The agreement will provide police investigators with specialised training, professional certification programmes and practical blockchain investigation tools aimed at improving the country's law enforcement capabilities.

“While North Korean-driven attacks are understandably a national security focus, this partnership isn’t designed around a single threat. It’s fundamentally about building institutional capability,”

Said Chainalysis country director, Ryan Kwon.

Chainalysis said the partnership will help investigators track illicit cryptocurrency flows more effectively as South Korean authorities confront a growing range of crypto-enabled crimes, including scams, money laundering and state-sponsored cyberattacks.

The company noted that South Korean police have played a leading role in addressing threats linked to North Korea, which has increasingly relied on cryptocurrency theft and cybercrime to generate revenue.

Research cited by Chainalysis showed North Korea-linked actors were responsible for approximately $578 million in crypto theft during April alone, while CrowdStrike estimated North Korean hackers caused roughly $2 billion in crypto losses during 2025.

The agreement follows the recent launch of South Korea’s Money Laundering Eradication Task Force, a multi-agency initiative focused on tackling crypto-related financial crime and strengthening enforcement against illicit digital asset activity.