$6.7 Billion Bitcoin Laundering Case: UK Authorities Seized 61,000 BTC

 London Woman Pleads Guilty to Laundering $6.7 Billion in Bitcoin

A London woman has pleaded guilty to laundering $6.7B in Bitcoin. UK police seized 61,000 BTC in one of the world’s largest crypto confiscations.


A major cryptocurrency crime case has reached a turning point in London, where a 47-year-old woman has admitted to laundering billions of dollars in Bitcoin. Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, pleaded guilty to laundering $6.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency—a crime tied to one of the largest Bitcoin seizures in British history.

One of the Biggest Bitcoin Confiscations Ever

Authorities first linked Qian to the massive scheme in 2018, when UK police confiscated 61,000 BTC from her possession. At today’s prices, this haul ranks among the most significant Bitcoin seizures ever recorded, underscoring the growing challenge regulators face in tracking illicit digital assets.

Background: From High-Return Promises to Disappearance

Qian operated a company in China that lured investors with promises of returns as high as 300%. The scheme unraveled in 2017, when she abruptly disappeared. Investigators later discovered that she had moved investor funds into Bitcoin and concealed her identity by using fraudulent documents.

Her arrest did not come until 2024 in the United Kingdom, highlighting both the cross-border nature of crypto-related crimes and the difficulty in tracing fugitives who leverage digital assets for concealment.

The Legal Battle and the Fate of 61,000 BTC

While Qian has now entered a guilty plea, no final verdict has been handed down. A central question remains: what will happen to the 61,000 BTC currently under government control? Prosecutors are pushing for permanent confiscation, arguing that the funds must never be returned to fraudsters or their networks.

Why This Case Matters

This trial highlights two growing issues in the cryptocurrency space:

  • The scale of financial crimes involving Bitcoin – billions can be laundered through digital assets with relative ease.

  • The importance of regulation and law enforcement – seizures like this reinforce the need for international cooperation in combating crypto fraud.

With the verdict pending, Qian’s case is likely to serve as a benchmark for how global courts handle large-scale cryptocurrency laundering and asset recovery.

ref: coinmarketcap


Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

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