Bitcoin News Today: $14.5B Bitcoin Heist at LuBian Mining Pool Revealed Five Years Later

A major Bitcoin theft linked to LuBian Mining Pool, one of the largest unreported incidents in the cryptocurrency industry, has come to light following an investigation by blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence. The firm revealed that 127,426 BTC—worth $3.5 billion at the time—was stolen from LuBian in late December 2020 and remained undetected until 2025. With Bitcoin’s price appreciation, the value of the stolen assets has since surged to an estimated $14.5 billion, underscoring the scale of the breach and its potential implications for the crypto ecosystem [1].

The stolen Bitcoin has not been moved since the time of the theft, remaining dormant in wallets linked to the incident. Arkham noted that neither LuBian nor the perpetrator publicly acknowledged the breach during the intervening years, raising concerns about the transparency and accountability of custodial systems in the early Bitcoin era. The firm emphasized that such vulnerabilities persist and could affect broader trust in digital asset infrastructure [1].

Despite the sheer size of the theft, the incident has not caused immediate liquidity shocks in public markets, as the funds have not been liquidated or moved into traditional financial channels. This relative inaction contrasts with responses to past major hacks, such as those at Mt. Gox and Bitfinex, where regulatory and institutional interventions were more evident. In the case of LuBian, there have been no significant governance or policy changes introduced to address the incident, highlighting potential gaps in oversight within the cryptocurrency sector [1].

The revelation has sparked renewed calls for improvements in Bitcoin custody and infrastructure. Analysts and experts suggest that the event underscores the urgent need for robust security frameworks to prevent future breaches of this magnitude. While historical incidents offer lessons, further research and innovation are required to build more resilient custodial systems. Data-driven analyses, such as those provided by Arkham, play a key role in identifying risks and guiding necessary reforms in both financial and technological domains [1].

The delayed exposure of the theft raises questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and reporting mechanisms in the crypto space. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders are being urged to prioritize transparency, proactive risk management, and stronger regulatory engagement. The LuBian incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing digital assets and the importance of continuous improvements in blockchain infrastructure [1].

Source: [1] Blockbuster Bitcoin Theft by LuBian Uncovered by Arkham (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688fdd03b3afd664ab382f79/)