German Police Seize $38 Million in eXch Crypto Crackdown

German police confiscated €34 million from cryptocurrency exchange eXch, alleging involvement in money laundering linked to a ByBit hack.

The seizure exposes risks associated with unregulated crypto platforms and highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny.

€34 Million Seized in Illegal Activity Probe

German authorities have taken significant action against eXch, a cryptocurrency service. They seized approximately €34 million in digital assets. Authorities began the operation following suspicions of illegal activities.

The eXch platform, active since 2014, allowed crypto exchanges without Anti-Money Laundering protocols. The crackdown was led by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and other agencies. Carsten Meywirth, Head of the Cybercrime Department of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, stated, “The operation underscores the industrial scale of cybercrimes”.

Seizure Linked to ByBit Hack Funds

The seizure demonstrates the seriousness of crackdowns on crypto platforms avoiding regulations. It affected alleged illicit transfers from a ByBit hack. Losses for users and market instability were noted.

Financial impacts include the loss of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. The move may deter similar unregulated activities in the crypto industry, prompting further scrutiny.

Historical Patterns in Crypto Crime Seizures

Previous operations resulted in even larger seizures, reflecting ongoing attempts to tackle crypto-related crimes. Authorities leverage historical data to predict outcomes of such legal actions.

Experts indicate that integrating Anti-Money Laundering measures is crucial. The focus remains on preventing large-scale money laundering and tightening control over anonymous crypto transactions. The operators had initially announced at short notice that they would cease their service on May 1, 2025. The authorities anticipated this and secured numerous pieces of evidence and leads. Despite a short preparation time, the platform’s database and the associated crypto assets were seized.