An international legal dispute involving 7 billion dollars worth of Bitcoin is unfolding at the Southwark Crown Court in London. This not only closely connects the victims of investment in Tianjin with the British judicial system but also leaves an immutable trail of crime on the blockchain, writing a new chapter in the history of international justice.

This is the largest cryptocurrency money laundering case in British history, involving 60,000 Bitcoins, reflecting the complex landscape of crime, justice, and asset recovery in the digital age like a multifaceted prism.

The origin of the case can be traced back to the "Blue Sky Ge Rui" illegal fundraising incident that occurred in Tianjin, China, between 2014 and 2017. Approximately 130,000 Chinese investors were attracted by promises of high returns, while their funds were converted into Bitcoin by the suspect Qian Zhimin (alias Zhang Yadi) and transferred to the UK.

The value of these 61,000 Bitcoins has undergone significant changes from the time of the incident to now, and its fate is now in the hands of the London court. The core of the case has evolved from traditional illegal fundraising to cross-border money laundering using cryptocurrencies. The defendant, Qian Zhiming, denies all charges and insists that the seized Bitcoins are not "proceeds of crime".

This trial has established multiple new standards for international judicial cooperation. Chinese case officers will personally go to London to appear in court and provide key evidence chains. At the same time, several Chinese victims will testify in real-time via remote video connection from a court in Tianjin to the court in London.

This hybrid model that integrates online and offline methods is the first of its kind in the handling of transnational criminal cases. It not only overcomes the obstacles posed by geographical distance but also opens up new pathways for future cross-border judicial cooperation. This innovative approach is expected to become a model for dealing with complex international cases, promoting the development of global judicial collaboration towards digitization and intelligence.

With the widespread application of cryptocurrencies globally, similar cross-border financial crimes may become increasingly common. The trial process and final verdict of this case will undoubtedly provide important references for countries in dealing with crimes related to digital assets, while also promoting international cooperation in combating transnational financial crimes.