South Korean Crypto Exchange Accidentally Gave Away $95 Billion in $BTC
The error was quickly corrected, but not before Bithumb users sold off billions in Bitcoin, temporarily crashing its listed price.
Instead of airdropping users 2,000 won (a sum worth $1.37 at writing), the exchange, Bithumb, reportedly sent 2,000 BTC apiece, users said. That massive sum was worth some $142 million at writing, with Bitcoin recently trading around $71,000.
According to local reports, the accidental transfers were made as part of a “Random Box” giveaway, where 96% of recipients were poised to receive the lowest-value prize (presumably, the 2,000 won).
Around 700 Bithumb users bought Random Boxes, meaning roughly 672 likely received the erroneous Bitcoin. That would put the current value of Bitcoin accidentally transferred to Bithumb customers at over $95.4 billion.