Seoul-based Bithumb says it has recovered 99% of assets after promotion that went awryCryptocurrency prices and charts are displayed at a Bithumb exchange office in Seoul on Feb 6, 2025. (Photo: Bloomberg)SEOUL - The South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb said on Saturday that it had accidentally ‌given away more than $40 ​billion worth of bitcoins to customers as promotional rewards, triggering a sharp selloff on the exchange. Bithumb apologised for the mistake, which ‌took place on Friday, and said it had recovered 99.7% of the 620,000 bitcoins, worth about $44 ‌billion at current prices. Bitcoin prices briefly slumped 17% to 81.1 ⁠million won on Friday evening on Bithumb, ​charts from the exchange show. Bithumb trails Upbit, a ​dominant player in the South Korean crypto space.

Source: Bangkok Post February 07, 2026 06:46 UTC