This episode was originally recorded for Times Radio on 13th November 2025.
In this special bonus episode, Aidan Larkin joins Hugo Rifkind on Times Radio to discuss what happens after a major seizure and why the landmark £5.1bn crypto seizure could redefine how governments handle digital assets.
In November 2025, a Chinese national dubbed the “Bit Queen” was sentenced to several years in prison for orchestrating a staggering £5.1 billion cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The case made headlines worldwide, not just for its scale, but for the questions it raises about the future of asset recovery in a digital age.
Aidan and Hugo explore:
- What happens after billions in crypto are seized
- How governments navigate cross-border asset recovery
- The diplomatic and legal challenges of returning funds to victims
- Why this case could set a global precedent for managing digital assets
Resources
Crypto Seizures: A Turning Point for Global Asset Recovery
BBC News: Cryptoqueen who fled China for London mansion jailed over £5bn Bitcoin stash
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