Bitcoin News Today: Chinese Mining Pool Hacker Now Ranks Among Top BTC Holders After $14.5B Theft Revealed

A previously undisclosed cyberattack on a Chinese cryptocurrency mining pool has emerged as one of the largest Bitcoin thefts in history, with 127,426 BTC—now worth approximately $14.5 billion—stolen in December 2020 [1]. The breach, which occurred at a mining pool known as LuBian, remained largely unreported for nearly five years before blockchain intelligence firm Arkham revealed the theft in July 2025 [2]. The stolen Bitcoin was quietly held and accumulated over the years, allowing the perpetrator—whether an individual or group—to now rank among the top BTC holders, on par with major institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals [2].

The LuBian mining pool had operated large-scale mining operations in China and Iran prior to the breach. The attack went undetected for years, with the stolen assets being moved and stored without triggering alerts. This extended period of inaction raises critical concerns about the security and monitoring capabilities of centralized mining infrastructure [3]. The lack of real-time surveillance and the absence of robust protocols for detecting large-scale asset movements contributed to the delayed discovery of the theft [1].

The revelation of the LuBian breach adds a new dimension to the ongoing discourse about the vulnerabilities of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While high-profile thefts are not uncommon, this case stands out for its scale and the length of time the stolen assets remained hidden. The delayed exposure highlights the limitations of current blockchain monitoring systems and the need for more advanced tools to track and analyze large transactions [2]. It also raises questions about the accountability of mining operations, particularly those that lack transparency in their security practices.

The incident underscores the growing risks associated with the centralization of mining infrastructure. As digital assets continue to gain traction globally, the sophistication of attacks on key nodes in the blockchain network is also increasing. The lack of clear regulatory frameworks in some jurisdictions further complicates the response to such incidents, often leaving victims with limited legal options for recovery [3]. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive security measures and the urgent need for the industry to adopt stronger, standardized protocols to prevent future breaches.

Source: [1] Largest Bitcoin Theft Ever? Chinese Mining Pool Hacker... (https://news.bitcoin.com/largest-bitcoin-theft-ever-chinese-mining-pool-hacker-now-ranks-among-btc-elite/)

[2] Arkham Exposes LuBian Attack, the Biggest Bitcoin Theft in... (https://www.hokanews.com/2025/08/arkham-exposes-lubian-attack-biggest.html)

[3] The Largest BTC Theft in History: After 5 Years of Silence... (https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604894045)