US’s Mysterious $15 Billion Crypto Haul Faces Questions in Court

In December 2020, some $3.5 billion worth of Bitcoin was taken from its owner in what’s been called the biggest crypto hack ever. Almost five years later, the new holder of the hoard — by then worth over four times more — revealed itself. It was the US government.

What was left unsaid is how US prosecutors came by the tokens, which they allege are the proceeds from a vast criminal empire run by Chinese tycoon Chen Zhi.