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06 February 2026 / Sarah Wood , Barnaby Hone , Gary Pons
Issue: 8148 / Categories: Features , Criminal , Crypto , Fraud , Cybercrime , Technology
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Victims’ rights in the crypto age

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Gary Pons, Sarah Wood & Barnaby Hone consider the approach to cryptoassets under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  • This article examines the variety of methods at the disposal of UK authorities under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to seize, detain or freeze, and recover or forfeit cryptoassets.
  • It also analyses the ways in which victims can make a claim for the return of their property within those schemes.

In late September 2025, Yadi Zhang pleaded guilty to an offence of money laundering involving 61,000 Bitcoin, which at that time was estimated to be worth more than £5bn. The seizure of the Bitcoin has been touted as one of the single largest cryptocurrency seizures in the world. The underlying criminality is the Lantian Gerui investment fraud involving about 128,000 Chinese victims.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) commenced civil recovery proceedings in respect of the seized Bitcoin under Pt 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA 2002) on 18

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