China’s National Cybersecurity Administration has formally alleged that the United States government appropriated approximately $13.2 billion worth of Bitcoin from a 2020 cryptocurrency mining pool security incident. According to official statements from Beijing, these digital assets were subsequently reclassified by U.S. authorities as criminal proceeds despite originating from the sophisticated cyber intrusion.
The allegations center on a significant security breach that targeted a major Bitcoin mining operation five years ago, during which substantial cryptocurrency holdings were compromised. Chinese cybersecurity officials maintain that U.S. federal agencies later confiscated these digital assets and publicly characterized them as illicit gains from criminal activities.
This development represents one of the most substantial accusations of cryptocurrency appropriation between major economic powers. The Chinese cybersecurity watchdog has emphasized the need for transparent international protocols regarding digital asset seizures and cross-border cybersecurity investigations. The claim underscores growing tensions in global cryptocurrency regulation and highlights differing perspectives on digital asset sovereignty between the world’s leading economies.
Industry observers note that the allegation comes amid increasing scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions and mining operations worldwide. The substantial value of the Bitcoin in question makes this one of the most significant disputed digital asset cases in cryptocurrency history, potentially setting precedents for how nations handle cross-border digital currency disputes and cybersecurity incidents moving forward.
