Blockmedia

# Paradigm Research Analyst Warns of Escalating North Korean Cryptocurrency Hacking Threats A recent report by Paradigm Research partner Sam, published on April 1, highlights a significant evolution in North Korea's cryptocurrency hacking operations. Reflecting on the hacking incident involving Bybit in February, Sam meticulously analyzed North Korea's cyberattack strategies, organizational structure, and broader implications, while suggesting multi-faceted countermeasures. # Bybit Incident Unveils Sophisticated Cyberattack Strategy The hacking incident began when approximately $1 billion worth of tokens were transferred from Bybit's cold wallet to a new address. Soon after, $200 million worth of LST liquidations were reported. The SEAL 911 community promptly issued alerts to crypto exchanges. Investigations revealed that Bybit’s multi-signature wallet infrastructure had been replaced with an unverified new version—confirming the event as a deliberate hack rather than mere maintenance oversight. Further revelations painted a more troubling picture. North Korean hackers had infiltrated the infrastructure of the multi-signature wallet service Safe{Wallet}, deploying malicious code specifically targeting Bybit. This operation underscores an unprecedented level of tactical precision and direct infiltration by North Korean cyber units. # The Structure Behind North Korea's Cyber Offensives Sam emphasized that North Korea's cyber warfare operates under a highly structured military system. The two core entities leading these efforts are the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) and the Munitions Industry Department (MID). The RGB commands key hacking entities, including the infamous Lazarus Group, which has been instrumental in cryptocurrency heists. Meanwhile, the MID handles nuclear weapons development and IT personnel exports. North Korea’s Lazarus Group has gained notoriety since its 2014 Sony Pictures hack. The group attempted to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh's central bank in 2016 and unleashed the WannaCry ransomware in 2017, causing billions of dollars in damage. Over time, their focus shifted to cryptocurrencies as a financial lifeline for the regime. Lazarus operates through specialized subgroups, each with distinct objectives. APT38 targets financial institutions, AppleJeus aims for supply chain attacks through malicious software integration, and TraderTraitor employs sophisticated phishing schemes to compromise cold wallets. High-profile breaches, such as Radiant Capital and WazirX, exemplify their operational prowess. # Evolving Cyber Tactics: Infiltration Beyond Hacking Apart from direct attacks, North Korea is intensifying efforts to infiltrate global enterprises under the guise of legitimate IT professionals—a strategy encompassing methods like "Wagemole" and "Contagious Interview." Wagemole involves operatives using fake identities to secure employment within foreign companies, leveraging internal access over extended periods to manipulate smart contracts, as seen in the Munchables hack. Conversely, the Contagious Interview tactic infects external developers' devices through job applications embedded with backdoor malware. # “Basic Security Measures Are No Longer Enough” Sam noted that while North Korean hackers have yet to exploit unknown vulnerabilities in cryptocurrency security, their methods have become alarmingly sophisticated. He stressed that standard security measures alone are insufficient. For instance, TraderTraitor’s tactics bypass conventional safeguards, directly targeting cold wallets. Sam recommends robust multi-signature structures and enhanced verification protocols at the organizational level as effective deterrents. The analyst added, “The FBI is actively operating a dedicated department to tackle North Korea’s cyber activities and notifying victimized companies. Industry stakeholders must establish networks with communities like SEAL 911 and security teams to bolster defenses.” As North Korea continues to refine its cyber warfare techniques, the report underscores the urgency for the cryptocurrency industry to adopt comprehensive security measures and international collaboration to counter future threats.

# Pantera Capital Highlights Full-Spectrum Blockchain Investment Strategy with Launch of Pantera Fund V Pantera Capital, a leading U.S. cryptocurrency investment firm, has underscored the advantages of its "Full-Spectrum Investing Approach," which aims to capture opportunities across all asset structures within the blockchain sector. This comprehensive strategy integrates investments in private equity, private tokens, liquid tokens traded on public markets, and structured investments in special situations. As part of its vision, the firm has announced the launch of a new fund, Pantera Fund V, and has begun accepting subscriptions. Pantera Capital positioned blockchain as a transformative paradigm shift that fundamentally changes how value is created. The firm asserted that blockchain offers a unique advantage over traditional finance models by allowing investors to access liquidity at an earlier stage, providing an unprecedented opportunity for rapid exits. # Breaking Asset Barriers in Blockchain Investment Unlike traditional equity investments, the blockchain ecosystem introduces tokens as a novel asset structure. These tokens simultaneously provide rewards and ownership and come in various forms, such as digital currencies, asset-backed tokens, utility tokens, and network tokens. Among these, network tokens offer the potential for fundamental valuations based on underlying economic models, according to Pantera. Blockchain projects can issue tokens to secure liquidity at early stages, effectively adopting characteristics of public markets even at the venture phase. Pantera described this as a chance to achieve "venture-style returns in public markets." # Four Pillars of Investment Strategy Pantera's blockchain investment strategy is organized into four distinct pillars: ### 1. Venture Equity This traditional venture capital approach focuses on investing in blockchain ecosystem builders such as wallet providers, exchanges, infrastructure firms, and development platforms. Pantera supports these companies from the seed stage, targeting exits via IPOs or mergers and acquisitions. ### 2. Private Tokens Private token investments are directed at early blockchain projects that issue tokens instead of equity. Pantera aims to capitalize on opportunities in Layer-1 protocols, decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized AI, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). A key feature of this approach is the capacity for early liquidity due to the speed of token issuance. ### 3. Liquid Tokens For publicly traded crypto assets, Pantera pursues a fundamentals-driven, long-term investment approach aimed at generating "Time Horizon Arbitrage." The firm believes weathering market volatility and maintaining long-term holdings can result in superior returns. ### 4. Special Opportunities This category targets structured investment opportunities arising from market imbalances. Examples include distressed debt from bankruptcy cases, structured investments based on illiquid tokens, and early-stage investments in ETFs. # Synergistic Strategy for Diversified Returns Pantera emphasized that its all-encompassing approach enables investors to achieve high returns during early stages, access early liquidity, and identify profit opportunities even amid market volatility. Additionally, the strategy allows investors to adapt nimbly to market changes without being tied to specific asset classes. This multi-faceted approach fosters cross-market expertise. Venture capitalists benefit from understanding liquid market dynamics, while public market investors gain insights into early-stage technological innovation. Pantera operates a unified investment committee to ensure seamless synchronization between venture and public market strategies. # Pantera Fund V: Tailored Investment Classes with Co-Investment Opportunities Pantera has initiated subscriptions for Pantera Fund V, which integrates the Full-Spectrum Investing Approach into a single fund. Investors can choose from tailored classes such as Class V for venture-only investments, Class P for private assets, and Class A for the comprehensive investment strategy. Institutional investors committing $25 million or more to the fund can access exclusive co-investment rights, allowing participation in individual deals without incurring additional fees or carried interest. Smaller investors can also participate in co-investments at a minimal fee of 0.1%, provided funds are available. Pantera concluded by noting the growing recognition of blockchain as a distinct asset class. The firm stressed that an integrated, asset-agnostic investment approach provides a more stable path to long-term returns, underscoring the strategic flexibility its model offers to investors navigating the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape.

To craft the article as per the Wall Street style guidelines, it is essential first to have the full content or context of the topic. Please provide the complete text or further details from the referenced article "[블록미디어 Jack Han 에디터] ▶". This will allow for a detailed and professional transformation into the desired style.

# Pope Francis Shows Improvement Amid Ongoing Recovery from Lung Infection VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’s condition has shown signs of improvement as he continues to recover from a lung infection, the Holy See announced on March 1. In an official statement, the Vatican revealed that recent chest X-rays indicate the pontiff's lung infection has somewhat improved. They further noted enhancements in his mobility, vocal function, and breathing capacity. The 86-year-old pope, who was hospitalized for 38 days due to pneumonia in both lungs, is now recovering at the Vatican residence, Santa Marta. While he remains reliant on an oxygen supply through a nasal cannula, he is able to breathe unaided for short periods. Medical experts treating Pope Francis previously disclosed that the pneumonia had compromised his lung function and weakened his respiratory muscles, stating that full recovery of his vocal abilities would require additional time. Following his discharge, doctors advised at least two months of rest and rehabilitation. The Vatican confirmed that the pope is limiting visitors to his personal physician and a small circle of close aides. "The pope’s psychological condition is stable," the statement added. As for whether Pope Francis will participate in Holy Week events beginning on Palm Sunday, April 13, the Vatican said it is "too early to provide a definitive answer." The series of events, marking one of the most important liturgical periods in the Catholic Church, includes the observance of the Lord’s Passion and Easter celebrations. Pope Francis continues his recovery in privacy, with his health closely monitored by his medical team. The global Catholic community awaits further updates on his condition and potential involvement in the Holy Week liturgies.

# U.S. Stock Market Opens April on a Weak Note as Trade Tariff Concerns Loom The U.S. stock market showed a bearish trend at the start of April as uncertainties surrounding trade tariffs continued to weigh on investor sentiment. As of 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time on April 1, the Nasdaq Composite was trading down 0.47% at 17,217.70, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.94% to 41,589.97, and the S&P 500 declined 0.74% to 5,572.05. While manufacturing PMI data exceeded expectations, ongoing concerns about economic stability exacerbated the downward trend. According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, details regarding mutual tariffs are expected to be announced on April 2 at 3 p.m. ET (April 3 at 4 a.m. KST), keeping investors on edge. # Manufacturing PMI Surpasses Estimates but Reflects Slowdown The U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) came in at 50.2, slightly above the market expectation of 49.8, but marked a decline from February’s reading of 52.7. The lower figure signals a deceleration in growth within the manufacturing sector. Following the release of this data, U.S. equities saw further declines, reflecting mounting investor concerns. # Individual Stocks See Mixed Movements Amid Broader Decline Despite the challenging market conditions, stocks across different sectors displayed varied performances. Electric vehicle leader Tesla saw its shares rise 4.08% to $291.15, drawing investor attention. Tesla's steady upward momentum has been attributed to optimism around new vehicle launches and expectations for broader expansion in the EV market. Conversely, Nvidia, a semiconductor industry heavyweight, struggled early in the session, declining 0.48% to $107.87. The company has faced pressure due to slowing demand for AI-related products and broader concerns over the semiconductor sector, hurting investor sentiment. Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft showed modest growth, with their shares rising 0.03% and 1.16%, respectively. # Investors Focus on Upcoming Economic Data Amid Trade Tariff Announcement As investors closely monitor the Trump administration’s tariff announcement, a series of crucial labor market indicators set to be released this week are also in focus. The U.S. Department of Labor’s February Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTs) is scheduled for release today, followed by ADP’s March private-sector employment report on April 2 and the initial jobless claims report on April 3. Capping off the week, the March Employment Situation Report, one of the most reliable indicators of the U.S. labor market’s overall health, will be released by the Labor Department on April 4. This report includes data from both private and public sectors, offering a comprehensive snapshot of employment trends in the U.S. economy. The backdrop of tariff discussions and labor market updates will likely set the tone for market activity in the coming days as investors navigate these critical developments.

To effectively write the Wall Street-style English article, I'll need the full content of the original text after "▶". Please provide the complete article so I can properly translate and adapt it.

# Block Media Editor Jack Han The original content lacks detailed information necessary to transform it into a full Wall Street-style article. If you provide the full body of the article, I can assist you further in fine-tuning the tone, structure, and language to meet the standards of Wall Street-style reporting.