British police have just broken the record with the largest cryptocurrency seizure in history, confiscating 61,000 BTC worth approximately 7.3 billion USD, equivalent to the entire Bitcoin stash of the government. This asset belongs to Zhimin Qian, a Chinese national who defrauded 128,000 people from 2014 to 2017. After coming to the UK in 2018 to launder money through real estate, Qian was arrested following a seven-year investigation and has pleaded guilty.
According to prosecutor Robin Weyell, the case shows the enormous scale of illegal profits from cryptocurrency. With the newly seized BTC, the UK now owns nearly double the amount of Bitcoin, which could compete with the US. While the US is forced to return most of the crypto to victims, the UK can leverage this asset as the majority of victims are in China – where cryptocurrency is restricted. This is seen as an opportunity for the UK to consider building a national Bitcoin reserve.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Bitcoin tends to outperform gold and stocks after global shocks, Mercado Bitcoin finds
According to a study from Mercado Bitcoin, Bitcoin outperformed gold and the S&P 500 in the aftermath of major global crises, displaying stronger returns during economic shocks. Despite its volatility, it has shown resilience and growth during turbulent times.
CoinDesk4h ago
BTC Consolidates At $67,105 As Renewed Whale Accumulation Sparks Bitcoin Breakout Hopes
Bitcoin (BTC) is attracting serious attention from big investors, according to a market observation disclosed today by analyst Ali Martinez. The analyst shared data on X, revealing that whales have accumulated a total of 10,000 BTC over the past 72 hours, a clear signal that high-net-worth investors
BlockChainReporter4h ago
Jimmy Song explains why Bitcoin needs a 'conservative' node client
The Bitcoin (BTC) network needs a “conservative” Bitcoin client node software implementation to preserve its monetary properties and strengthen network decentralization, according to Jimmy Song, co-founder of ProductionReady, a non-profit organization funding open source Bitcoin node software
Cointelegraph4h ago
Ex-UK Chancellor backs bitcoin as alternative to failing systems
Kwasi Kwarteng, the former UK Chancellor, reflects on his short tenure and the missteps of the mini-budget while advocating for long-term economic thinking. He now focuses on bitcoin and monetary innovation as part of his role with Stack BTC.
CoinDesk6h ago
Solana Holds Key Support as Bitcoin Rally Lifts Crypto Market
Solana's price remained above $80 amid rising Bitcoin values, contributing to a broader crypto market recovery with a capitalization of $2.35 trillion. Institutional demand and easing geopolitical tensions supported this growth, while Solana led in decentralized finance activity, recording significant DEX and stablecoin volumes in March.
CryptoNewsLand6h ago
