W Legal is pleased to announce its successful representation of a claimant in High Court proceedings involving the misappropriation of approximately 32.46 Bitcoin, valued at over £1.7 million.
The proceedings were brought against Person Unknown, alleged to have operated under the alias “Brian Smith”, and also against Huobi Global S.A. (HTX), a leading cryptocurrency exchange. The claim concerns allegations of fraud, tracing of digital assets, recovery of cryptoassets, and disclosure of information intended to identify those responsible.
At a return hearing before Mr Guy Vassall-Adam KC, sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court, the Court continued a Proprietary Asset Preservation Injunction, Freezing Injunction, and related disclosure relief. The Court also granted permission for service by alternative means, reflecting the increasingly international and digital nature of cryptoasset disputes.
Damian Falkowski of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square was instructed by W Legal as counsel for the Claimant.
The judgment has been made publicly available online HERE, reflecting the significance of the issues considered by the Court. The case addresses a number of developing areas of law, including the treatment of cryptoassets as property, tracing digital assets through blockchain transactions, freezing relief against unknown fraudsters, cross-border service issues, and disclosure orders involving cryptocurrency exchanges.
The matter further demonstrates W Legal’s expertise in blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital asset disputes, including:
- Emergency freezing and proprietary injunctions;
- Cryptoasset tracing and recovery;
- Claims against persons unknown;
- Crypto Exchange disclosure orders;
- Cross-border fraud litigation;
- Blockchain evidence and forensic investigations; and
- Digital asset enforcement and recovery strategies.
As the crypto sector continues to evolve, W Legal remains committed to assisting clients in navigating complex disputes involving cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and emerging financial technologies.
For further information, please contact:
W Legal
47 Red Lion Street
London WC1R 4PF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7220 9130
Email: info@wlegal.co.uk
