In April 2026, Chainalysis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) to deepen cooperation on virtual asset crime investigations. The agreement establishes a structured framework for training, certification, and the joint development of practical investigative programs, reinforcing Chainalysis’s long-term commitment to building investigative capability within Korean law enforcement.Why this mattersSouth Korea sits at the intersection of two realities. It is one of the world’s most dynamic digital asset markets, with high levels of adoption across retail and institutional participants. It is also on the front line of state-sponsored cyber threats: North Korean-linked hacking groups were responsible for more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency theft last year and $5.5 billion over the past five years, using increasingly sophisticated techniques that span multiple blockchains, jurisdictions, and laundering layers.These are inherently global threats. DPRK stolen funds are laundered through exchanges, bridges, and mixing services across dozens of countries before they can be cashed out. KNPA is one of the world’s most experienced law enforcement agencies when it comes to investigating crypto-enabled crime, and has been at the forefront of tackling DPRK-linked threats. To investigate these cases effectively, Korean investigators need global visibility into illicit fund flows. Chainalysis provides that foundation – an AI-enhanced data platform that investigators around the world have used to help trace illicit funds and support seizures totaling more than $34 billion in high-profile cases. Our data has also been ruled reliable and admissible in court, a standard that is critical when investigations lead to prosecution.This MoU matters because it combines KNPA’s investigative leadership with our global intelligence and evidentiary standard, helping Korean authorities move faster from detection to disruption and prosecution.What the MoU coversThe agreement focuses on three areas of cooperation: