Arkham Exposes $3.5B LuBian Bitcoin Heist After Five Years
On August 2, 2025, on-chain intelligence firm Arkham revealed that Chinese mining pool LuBian suffered a 2020 Bitcoin theft of 127,426 BTC—worth about $3.5 billion—that remained on-chain and unnoticed for nearly five years.
Recent transfers approximating $6 million in stolen assets have reignited concerns over blockchain monitoring and wallet security. With no suspects named, Arkham’s analysis underscores the need for real-time risk alerts, enhanced detection systems and stricter compliance. Despite the scale, Bitcoin’s price and trading volumes remained stable after the disclosure. Experts liken the incident to the Mt. Gox collapse and anticipate stronger security protocols and regulatory oversight as a result of this Bitcoin theft.
Neutral
Despite the scale of the $3.5 billion Bitcoin theft, the delayed disclosure and absence of suspect arrests led to a muted market response. Bitcoin’s price and trading volumes remained stable, indicating limited short-term volatility. Over the long term, the incident may encourage stronger security measures and regulatory scrutiny, but direct price effects are likely minimal. This suggests a neutral impact on Bitcoin trading.