China Business Uncovered Podcast #1: A $15 Billion Bitcoin Seizure and the Fall of a Cybercrime Kingpin

About this episode

The episode explores the rise and fall of cybercrime kingpin Chen Zhi and the implications of a $15 billion bitcoin seizure.

Program description: China Business Uncovered takes listeners inside China's business world through the eyes of reporters who investigate it firsthand. Featuring open conversations with Caixin journalists, each episode breaks down the most complex developments inside Chinese companies. Tune in to understand how critical stories are covered, what's really happening beneath the surface, and why it matters for businesses and investors operating in and around China. Recorded in Mandarin and produced in English with the help of AI, China Business Uncovered brings Caixin's in-depth investigative reporting to a global audience. Episode intro: A Chinese tycoon's mysterious rise in Cambodia, and behind him, an alleged scam network that ensnared victims in China and the U.S. In this debut episode of China Business Uncovered, host Kelsey Cheng speaks with Caixin reporter Tang Ailin to unpack the sudden fall of Chen Zhi, his empire Prince Holding Group, and the seizure of $15 billion in bitcoin. (01:32) Why Chen's fall caught the world's attention (05:06) Chen's early life in China and his connection to a hacker group (08:12) Arriving in Cambodia and a mysterious $2 million loan (17:27)…

People in this episode

Host: Kelsey Cheng

Guest: Tang Ailin

Topics covered

• cybercrime
• bitcoin seizure
• business investigation
• China
• Cambodia
• scam networks

Keywords

• Chen Zhi
• bitcoin
• cybercrime
• Cambodia
• scam
• Prince Holding Group
• Caixin

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Prince Holding Group, Caixin

Places: Cambodia, China, U.S.

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