Bithumb Exchange’s $44B Bitcoin Payout Error Sparks 17% Flash Crash
South Korea's Bithumb exchange mistakenly credited users with 2,000 BTC each during a promotional event intended to distribute $1.40 cash prizes. The administrative error created a $44 billion liability and triggered immediate sell pressure.
Bitcoin prices on Bithumb plunged 17% to $55,000 within minutes as recipients liquidated the windfall. The flash crash created a rare inverse Kimchi premium, with Bithumb's BTC price dipping below global benchmarks holding steady near $66,000.
Exchange security protocols froze 695 affected accounts within five minutes and suspended withdrawals. Bithumb recovered 99.7% of the misallocated bitcoin within 24 hours, preventing catastrophic losses.