June 2026 High Court ruling adds weight to stolen crypto recovery claims

If your cryptocurrency has been stolen, the High Court judgment in Stephen Wilden v Person Unknown and Huobi Global S.A [2026] EWHC 1355 (KB), handed down on 5 June 2026, is worth knowing about.

The court continued a proprietary and worldwide freezing order over Bitcoin worth about €2.59 million and granted disclosure relief against Huobi Global S.A., the company believed to own the HTX exchange. In practical terms, the order was designed to preserve stolen assets and obtain information that may identify the person controlling the receiving account.

That does not guarantee recovery. It does, however, show that English courts can act quickly in serious crypto fraud cases, including where stolen assets have moved across borders. If you have lost funds, our crypto scam recovery team can talk you through your options.

What the court actually decided

The claimant was a German businessman who had previously held Bitcoin through the EuropeFX platform. In December 2025, he was contacted by someone using the name “Brian Smith”, who claimed he could help recover the lost Bitcoin. The claimant was then persuaded to buy and transfer further Bitcoin. In total, forensic investigators traced 32.4572826 BTC, valued at €2,586,845, to infrastructure associated with HTX.

Deputy High Court Judge Guy Vassall-Adams KC continued the freezing order against the unknown fraudster and granted a disclosure order against Huobi Global S.A. The disclosure order was made under the Bankers Trust and Norwich Pharmacal jurisdictions, which can require a third party to provide information where assets have been misappropriated and the information may help identify the wrongdoer or preserve the property.

The court also allowed service outside the jurisdiction and by alternative means. Costs of £60,993.91 were awarded on the indemnity basis.

Why this matters for victims

The judgment matters because it treats stolen Bitcoin as property that can be traced, preserved and pursued through the courts. That approach is consistent with the developing law in England and Wales, including the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025 and strengthened the position that certain digital assets can be protected as objects of personal property rights.

For victims, the practical point is simple. Crypto may move quickly, but it does not always disappear beyond reach. Wallet addresses, exchange records, transaction IDs and blockchain analysis can be used to build a claim. Our guide to recovering money sent digitally explains the starting point, while our note on the evidence you gather for a crypto recovery claim sets out what to keep.

A realistic view of recovery

A freezing order is not the same as getting your money back. It is a tool to stop assets being moved, or to preserve the position while the claim continues. Recovery can still be difficult if the funds have already been mixed, cashed out, sent through multiple wallets, or moved through a platform that does not cooperate.

That is why speed matters. The earlier forensic tracing starts, the better the chance of identifying where the funds went and whether legal action is worthwhile.

Many crypto scams also follow familiar patterns. Some begin on fake investment platforms that show made-up profits. Others involve a fake broker scheme, where the adviser appears professional until withdrawals are blocked. Some start with a romance scam and a payment request from someone the victim believed they could trust.

The scale of the problem in the UK

Crypto fraud is now a major part of the UK investment fraud landscape. City of London Police reported that investment fraud losses exceeded £649 million in 2024, and cryptocurrency was the most common asset claimed to be involved, appearing in 66% of reports.

Large-scale enforcement is possible. In 2025, the Metropolitan Police confirmed convictions connected to one of the highest-value cryptocurrency cases globally, involving more than 61,000 Bitcoin and losses linked to a major fraud. But those cases are complex and take time. For individual victims, the priority is to act quickly, preserve evidence and avoid paying anyone who promises guaranteed recovery.

What to do if you have been targeted

Report the matter to Action Fraud, contact your bank if any linked payment was made from a bank account, and collect every wallet address, transaction hash, exchange receipt, email, message and screenshot.

Be careful of anyone who contacts you out of the blue claiming they can recover your crypto for an upfront fee. These follow-up approaches are common after the original fraud. Our guide to recovery room scams explains how they work.

Crypto recovery is only one part of our work. Claim First also helps clients with mis-sold finance claims, payday loan refund cases and housing disrepair claims.

Take the first step

If your crypto has gone and you are not sure what can be recovered, do not wait and do not pay anyone upfront. Get a clear assessment first. Start a free, no win no fee case review with Claim First and find out whether your funds can be traced.