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INSIGHT: How Kraken caught a North Korea spy during a job interview

Kraken cryptocurrency exchange logo is seen in this illustration taken July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent

CRYPTO exchange Kraken says it uncovered a North Korean spy during a routine job interview, exposing an elaborate attempt to infiltrate the company’s systems.

In early 2025, Kraken began screening “Steven Smith” for an engineering role. But the process quickly raised red flags.

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