Key Takeaways
- China is reviewing laws to prevent corruption in handling seized crypto assets.
- A national crypto ban since 2021 has forced authorities to rely on private firms to liquidate confiscated tokens.
- Economic pressure and rising crypto-related crimes could push Beijing to revise its stance.
China’s top courts and regulators are exploring potential legal reforms to govern how seized cryptocurrencies are handled, as local governments increasingly rely on informal and opaque channels to liquidate confiscated assets.
The move reflects growing pressure on the state to address legal gray areas created by its 2021 blanket ban on crypto trading and mining.
While crypto remains outlawed nationwide, the rise in criminal cases involving digital assets has left courts with little clarity on how to deal with ill-gotten coins.
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Managing Seized Crypto
According to a recent Reuters report , several Chinese provinces have turned to private firms to convert seized crypto into fiat currency. These proceeds are then funneled back into public coffers, helping offset fiscal shortfalls worsened by the country’s broader economic slump.
This workaround, however, falls into murky territory. “It’s a makeshift solution that, strictly speaking, is not fully in line with China’s current ban on crypto trading,” Chen Shim, a Zhongnan University of Economics and Law professor, told Reuters.
Liu Honglin, a legal advisor to local governments on crypto issues, said that seized cryptocurrencies have become an important revenue stream for some cities but warned that the current system could foster corruption without national rules in place.
Despite crypto’s illegality, the value of seized holdings is growing.
According to a report by Bitcoin investment firm River , by the end of 2024, Chinese local authorities held an estimated 15,000 bitcoins—worth $1.4 billion—making the country one of the largest involuntary asset holders.
A Legal Dilemma Amid Shifting Global Dynamics
The Chinese government has held internal seminars with judges, law enforcement, and crypto experts to debate how seized crypto assets should be regulated. Draft proposals are said to include clearer liquidation procedures and tighter oversight to prevent misuse.
With the U.S. escalating trade restrictions and a broader shift among global economies toward alternative financial rails, China may find it increasingly difficult to ignore crypto altogether.
Some analysts believe crypto could play a limited but strategic role in cross-border trade, especially given reports that China has already conducted Bitcoin-based transactions with Russian entities amid sanctions.
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