UK: Police Seize £5.5B Bitcoin in World's Largest Crypto Bust

18 HOURS AGO·UPDATED 15 HOURS AGO

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Above: The image depicts a Chinese 100 Renminbi (Yuan) banknote alongside a physical Bitcoin coin on Jan. 12, 2025. Image copyright: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This massive cryptocurrency bust proves law enforcement can successfully track down international criminals who think digital assets make them untouchable. The seven-year investigation demonstrates that sophisticated police work and international cooperation will always catch up with fraudsters, no matter how complex their schemes or how far they run.

Border Telegraph Metropolitan Police

Establishment-critical narrative

The U.K. government appears ready to keep billions in seized cryptocurrency that rightfully belongs to over 128,000 defrauded Chinese victims who have waited years for compensation. Despite the defendant's lawyer stating sufficient funds exist to repay losses, reports suggest authorities plan to retain the assets rather than return them to those who were actually harmed.

Guardian CryptoDNES