Crypto Seizures: A Turning Point for Global Asset Recovery

Originally recorded on 13^th November 2025 for the Times Radio

Last month, a Chinese national dubbed the “Bit Queen” was sentenced to several years in prison for orchestrating a staggering £5.1 billion cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The case made headlines worldwide, not just for its scale, but for the questions it raises about the future of asset recovery in a digital age.

What Happens After the Seizure?

When law enforcement successfully seizes billions in crypto, the story doesn’t end there. Recovering assets is never a simple process, whether it’s cars, cash, or crypto. But digital assets introduce new layers of complexity:

• Multiple jurisdictions and competing claims from victims around the world

• Diplomatic and legal coordination between governments and enforcement agencies

• Frameworks for emerging asset classes like crypto that traditional recovery systems weren’t designed to handle

As Aidan Larkin explained in his recent interview with Hugo Rifkind on Times Radio, the next steps aren’t just about plugging Treasury gaps. They’re about building fair, transparent systems that work across borders and asset types.

“The process around any asset recovery case is identifying third-party interests… In this case, victims are now making applications to say these assets belong to them. That’s where the twists and turns begin.”

Why This Matters

Cases like this highlight a critical shift: crypto seizures aren’t isolated events. They’re shaping the future of financial crime enforcement. Governments, regulators, and victims need solutions that are effective globally and adapt to emerging technologies.

At Asset Reality, we believe the answer lies in making seized assets accessible, transparent, and manageable for government and law enforcement agencies while ensuring victims’ rights are respected. We’re building the infrastructure for a world where digital assets are part of mainstream asset recovery.

🎧 Listen to the full Times Radio interview with Aidan Larkin and Hugo Rifkind as a special bonus episode of Seize & Desist:

Originally recorded on 13^th November 2025 for the Times Radio