UK government found to have billions of dollars in Bitcoin: Arkham

The UK government was founded by the blockchain analytics platform that held billions of dollars in Bitcoin in the past few years.

Arkham Intelligence, on the on-chain analytics data on Dec. 06, has found the wallet that is connected to the UK government that holds 61.245k Bitcoin (BTC) worth $6 billion. This wallet has also gained profit from the Bitcoin price movement, with more than $28 million in unrealised profit.

It is stated by Arkham that the Bitcoin owned by the UK government is a seized asset from Zhimin Qian, a fraudster with a multi-billion pound scam.

“The UK government now holds $6 billion USD of Bitcoin. They have been holding this for 3.5 Years after its seizure from Zhimin Qian in 2021,”

Arkham stated on X post

Although the last time this wallet was actively used was 3 months ago, the seized Bitcoin that they received only happened 3 years ago. The first time, they received 2,400 Bitcoins worth $93 million, and they got the same amount at a different transaction. In the last one, they received 19.200 Bitcoin worth $750 million.

UK government accused Qian Zhimin

Qian Zhimin, a Chinese nationality, defrauded 130,000 Chinese investors of $5.6 billion between 2014 and 2017. She was enlisted by Jian Wen, who she recruited under pretences in September 2017 from an East London fast food chain store.

While Jian has already been sentenced to 6 years in prison due to the money laundering plot, Zhimin will face the trial in September next year at Southwark Crown Court, where a co-defendant, Seng Hok Ling, has also pleaded not guilty to related charges.

Several cases that included Bitcoin in their action were easily detected under the blockchain’s transparency and open access to on-chain transactions. Therefore, the securities agency could track the stolen money.