KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The U.S. reports the Bitcoin was seized under law from alleged criminal proceeds tied to scams.
- Chinese authorities argue the Bitcoins were hacked years earlier and U.S. agencies stole them.
- There is no public, independent evidence proving U.S. theft; the DOJ has not detailed how it accessed the wallets.
U.S. authorities seized 127,271 Bitcoin worth about $15B linked to a major global scam network.
Some officials in China claim the seizure was state theft, but public evidence does not confirm that.
In October 2025 the U.S. Department of Justice announced it had taken control of 127,271 Bitcoin, valued around $15B, tied to Chen Zhi and his Prince Holding Group.
Chen is accused of running large online fraud operations and money laundering through forced-labor scam centers.
Did the U.S. steal this Bitcoin, or was it a lawful seizure? The known facts show the U.S. labels it a legal forfeiture linked to criminal activity, while some Chinese agencies publicly claim it was stolen hacking prior to any U.S. action.
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U.S. Seizure Of $15B Bitcoin And Criminal Charges
In October 2025, U.S. officials filed the largest forfeiture action in Department of Justice history, seeking control of 127,271 Bitcoin tied to Prince Holding Group and Chen Zhi.
Prosecutors charged Chen with wire fraud and money laundering connected to international “pig butchering” scams that defrauded people globally and laundered funds through shell companies and crypto mining operations.
The U.S. also coordinated sanctions with the U.K., freezing assets and pursuing Chen’s property and business interests.
The DOJ described the Bitcoin as proceeds of criminal conduct, and court filings in federal district court reflect ongoing legal action.
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Where Stealing Allegations Come From And What They Say
Chinese cybersecurity bodies and some state media have publicly stated that the Bitcoin was stolen from a large mining pool linked to Chen as far back as December 2020, suggesting this hack was not typical criminal activity and implies state-level involvement.
These claims hinge on reports that the Bitcoin stayed untouched for years before moving to addresses later seized by the U.S., and that the DOJ indictment does not explain how authorities gained access to the wallets.
No independent forensic report published to date confirms these claims.
The U.S. has not publicly described how it obtained the private keys or wallet access.
What The Evidence Shows So Far
Public records show the Bitcoin is now in U.S. custody under a legal forfeiture process tied to criminal charges.
The National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center’s hacking claims and similar allegations remain unverified in independent, transparent forensic reports.
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Conclusion
Based on available public information, there is no verified proof that the U.S. stole the Bitcoin.
The U.S. government describes the action as a lawful seizure related to alleged criminal acts, while competing claims of theft have not been independently confirmed.
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