Germany Seizes $38M in Bybit Hack Crypto Funds

German authorities seized $38 million in cryptocurrency from the eXch platform on April 30, 2025, amid allegations of laundering funds linked to the Bybit hack.

The seizure underscores significant steps against crypto money laundering and highlights regulatory challenges facing platforms without AML controls.

Germany’s $38M Crypto Seizure: The eXch Case Unveiled

The German Federal Criminal Police Office and Frankfurt Prosecutor’s Office orchestrated the seizure of assets from eXch, a platform accused of money laundering since 2014.

The action followed the Bybit cryptocurrency heist, where between $1.4 and $1.5 billion was taken. The operation made eXch a target in an international investigation. “Among other things, a portion of the $1.5 billion stolen from the Bybit crypto exchange, which was hacked on Feb. 21, 2025, is said to have been exchanged via eXch,” said Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office.

Crypto Market Shaken by Major Seizure

The seizure affected Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Dash (DASH) markets, reflecting broader crypto regulatory enforcement. eXch’s shutdown announcement confirmed its exposure to law enforcement actions.

The operation marks a crucial effort in imposing compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations in the crypto industry. The crypto community’s reaction has remained muted, with no major statements from key figures.

Germany’s Third-Largest Crypto Confiscation to Date

Similar actions have included prior shutdowns of mixers and exchanges in Germany related to money laundering cases. This case stands as the third-largest crypto asset confiscation by German authorities.

Potential outcomes include increased regulatory scrutiny of crypto platforms lacking AML controls. Previous trends suggest markets may react with cautious stability after initial disruptions.