North Korea used the cryptocurrency platform Tornado Cash to launder more than $147 million of stolen assets in March, according to United Nations documents seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
The summary, written by Security Council sanctions monitors, reported to the committee that they have been investigating 97 suspected cyberattacks on virtual currency providers by Pyongyang between 2017 and 2024. The authors estimated that the total value of the illicit activity is close to $3.6 billion.
The examiners reportedly described the financial operation as one that involves North Korean citizens working abroad in the emerging industry who create a "substantial income for the country."
The reclusive dictatorship has been under U.N. sanctions relating to its nuclear weapons program since 2006.
The compliance program was discontinued in April after Russia vetoed a resolution to continue its assignment.
The North Korean mission to the U.N. did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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