Chinese businessman Chen Zhi, the founder and chairman of Prince Group, has been arrested in Cambodia and repatriated to China for further investigation, according to reports from the Guangxi International Communication Center (Cambodia) and the Cambodia–China Times.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international attention following one of the largest cryptocurrency seizures ever announced by U.S. authorities.
Local media reports said Cambodian authorities detained Chen Zhi before transferring him back to China, where he is now under investigation by relevant Chinese agencies.
While officials have not disclosed the specific charges he may face, the repatriation suggests cooperation between Cambodian and Chinese authorities in a case involving large-scale financial and crypto-related activities.
Chen Zhi is best known as the founder and chairman of Prince Group, a conglomerate with business interests spanning real estate, finance, hospitality, and other sectors in Cambodia and the broader Southeast Asian region.
Over the past decade, Prince Group expanded rapidly, positioning itself as one of the more prominent Chinese-backed business groups operating in Cambodia.
The arrest follows a major announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice in October 2025, when it revealed the seizure of approximately 127,271 bitcoins linked to Chen Zhi.
At the time of the announcement, the seized cryptocurrency was valued at roughly $15 billion, making it one of the largest bitcoin seizures in history. U.S. authorities did not publicly detail all aspects of the investigation but described the action as part of a broader effort to target illicit financial activities involving digital assets.
The scale of the bitcoin seizure placed the case at the center of global attention, highlighting the growing role of cryptocurrencies in cross-border investigations and law enforcement cooperation.
Analysts noted that such actions signal increasing scrutiny of large crypto holdings and the individuals or entities behind them, particularly when transactions cross multiple jurisdictions.
As Chen Zhi’s case now shifts to China, observers expect further disclosures from authorities regarding the investigation’s scope.
The outcome could have implications not only for Prince Group’s operations but also for broader regulatory and enforcement approaches toward cryptocurrency-linked financial activities in the region.