LuBian Hacked BTC Moves Again After Dormancy

Key Takeaways:
  • LuBian mining pool’s stolen BTC moves, sparking investigation.
  • $1.83 billion in BTC transferred after years of dormancy.
  • Ongoing scrutiny by law enforcement and blockchain analysts.

On October 22, 2025, the LuBian mining pool’s hacked address moved 15,959 BTC, valued at $1.83 billion, into four separate wallets after years of dormancy.

The significant BTC movement has elevated scrutiny over asset destinations and ties to major fraud cases, raising market concerns over potential laundering attempts.

A large outflow of Bitcoin  BTC -0.78% valued at $1.83 billion was seen from the address linked to LuBian’s 2020 hack. The stolen BTC was moved into four separate wallets, marking a significant first in recent on-chain activity.

LuBian mining pool, once prominent in the crypto space, had assets stolen in 2020 and remained inactive since. The recent transfer involves funds linked to known criminal activities, including connections to Chen Zhi and alleged laundering operations.

“Today we announce the seizure of bitcoin worth $15 billion from Prince Group’s criminal organization, and unseal an indictment against its chairman Chen Zhi for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy in relation to online scams.” — Chen Zhi, Chairman, Prince Group source

The movement of these funds has intensified scrutiny by U.S. authorities on the affiliated wallet addresses. Analysts are investigating potential links to broader international fraud schemes and expect increased law enforcement action.

Financial implications include the potential seizure of billions in BTC by the U.S. government. This action represents strong global regulatory enforcement against cryptocurrency-related crimes, emphasizing international collaboration in the space.

The event impacts BTC’s reputation, highlighting vulnerabilities in crypto security systems. U.S. DOJ’s involvement reflects increasing regulatory reach into cryptocurrency markets, potentially affecting future market dynamics and governance.

Historical data shows such movements signal potential liquidation or laundering attempts. Blockchain forensics will play a key role in tracking funds, drawing from past experiences like the Mt. Gox case to mitigate further illicit activity.

Otto Bergmanr

Otte Bergmar is a crypto journalist covering Scandinavian and European blockchain markets, with a focus on decentralisation, privacy, and the AI–crypto interface. He reports on Web3 startups, market structure, and EU policy; from licensing regimes to consumer protection and cross-border compliance. At TokenTopNews, Otte transforms policy drafts, regulatory disclosures, and on-chain data into actionable, decision-ready insights, helping readers understand how regulation influences blockchain adoption across Europe.