Bithumb Wins Lawsuit Over Proceeds From 620,000 BTC Fat‑Finger Error

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has won a legal battle concerning the massive “fat‑finger” error that occurred in February, when an internal glitch mistakenly credited hundreds of user accounts with a total of 620,000 BTC.

Background of the error

The glitch resulted in the creation of 620,000 BTC in the exchange’s internal ledger. At the time of the incident, the cryptocurrency was valued at approximately $43 billion, making it one of the largest single‑transaction errors in crypto history.

Legal outcome

A court ruled in Bithumb’s favor, permitting the exchange to retain the proceeds generated from the erroneous credit. The decision resolves the dispute over whether the mistakenly allocated coins should be returned to the exchange or considered the property of the affected users.

Implications

• The ruling clarifies legal responsibilities for exchanges when internal accounting errors occur.
• It underscores the importance of robust internal controls to prevent similar incidents.
• The case may influence future regulatory guidance on handling accidental token allocations.