South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb issued a public apology on February 6, 2026, after a system mistake credited some users with an unusually large amount of Bitcoin. The unexpected balance changes led several recipients to sell the BTC almost immediately, which caused sudden disruptions in trading activity on the platform.
What Went Wrong at Bithumb
According to Bithumb, the issue occurred during an internal operation tied to a customer event. The exchange admitted that an abnormal amount of Bitcoin appeared in a limited number of user accounts. Soon after, some of those users placed sell orders, sending surprise supply into the order books.
As a result, traders noticed brief but sharp price and liquidity shifts on Bithumb. While these moves did not reflect the broader market, they stood out to active users who monitor exchange-level activity closely. Furthermore, the incident highlighted how fast trading systems can amplify even small operational errors.
Market speculation suggested the error may have involved roughly 2,000 BTC. Some industry voices claimed a staff member may have entered Bitcoin instead of Korean won when setting up a promotion. However, Bithumb has not confirmed the exact amount or provided a detailed explanation in English-language statements.
Impact on Bitcoin Trading
The timing made matters worse. Bitcoin markets were already volatile due to global liquidations and nervous sentiment. Therefore, the sudden sell pressure on a single exchange had a stronger short-term effect.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin traded near $68,563. Although the broader price remained stable, the localized sell-off showed how exchange-specific events can affect traders, even when the wider market stays calm.
What Happens Next
Bithumb now faces several challenges as it works to resolve the situation. These include handling wrongly credited funds and restoring user confidence. Observers expect the exchange to consider multiple options, such as account adjustments or negotiated returns.
Key issues under review include:
- How Bithumb will recover Bitcoin that users already sold
- Whether affected customers will face penalties
- What safeguards the exchange will add to prevent similar errors
The episode arrives as Bithumb continues to operate under regulatory scrutiny, making its next steps especially important for its reputation.
