US Government Seizes $15 Billion Worth of Bitcoin in Cyber Crime Scandal Operation!

Jakarta, Pintu News – The United States government recently conducted the largest Bitcoin (BTC) seizure in history, securing 127,195 BTC linked to a large fraud scheme led by Chen Zhi in Cambodia. This seizure marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to combat crypto-related financial crimes on a global level.

Record Seizures by the US Department of Justice

The United States Department of Justice has seized 127,195 Bitcoin (BTC) associated with Chen Zhi, the alleged mastermind behind a massive fraud scheme known as “pig butchering”. The Bitcoin, valued at approximately $15 billion, is the largest seizure ever by the DOJ.

Chen Zhi and his associates are accused of laundering billions of dollars in criminal proceeds through crypto exchanges and fictitious companies before the assets were traced and frozen.

This seizure adds to the amount of Bitcoin already held by the US government from previous enforcement actions, including the Silk Road case and the Bitfinex hack. With this latest addition, the total Bitcoin held by the US government is now more than 316,000 BTC, with a value of nearly $36 billion, making the US government one of the largest holders of Bitcoin in the world.

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Operation Details and Global Impact

A report from CryptoQuant shows that the US government now controls 316,760 BTC, worth approximately $35.9 billion, following the latest seizure of Chen Zhi’s fraud scheme. The seizure of 127,195 BTC in this case-currently valued at $13.2 billion-marks the largest single Bitcoin seizure ever made by the Department of Justice.

At this year’s Bitcoin peak, the value of such seizures was approximately $15.5 billion. The operation confirmed the US’ position as one of the largest known holders of Bitcoin, with assets stemming from several major enforcement actions over the past decade. The largest components include seizures from the Bitfinex hack and the Silk Road black market.

Other Bitcoin Seizure Cases by the US Government

In addition to Chen Zhi’s case, the US government has also successfully seized Bitcoin in several other high-profile cases. In 2016, law enforcement recovered 106,910 BTC stolen from crypto exchange Bitfinex after years of investigation. In 2013, the government seized 81,988 BTC from the Silk Road black market operated by Ross Ulbricht.

This seizure remains one of the most famous crypto seizures. In 2022, another seizure involved 667 BTC associated with Estonian nationals accused of running a $575 million crypto scam through fictitious mining services. These seizures show how the US has become a big player in the Bitcoin market, not through investment, but through strict law enforcement and asset recovery.

Conclusion

These seizures not only demonstrate the US government’s commitment to fighting crypto-related financial crimes, but also position the US as a key player in the global Bitcoin ecosystem. By securing a large amount of Bitcoin, the US government has significant influence in the crypto market, which may have an impact on future policies and regulations.

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Reference

• Bitcoinist. US Government Seizes 127,195 Bitcoin, Holds Over $316K. Accessed on October 17, 2025