Blockstream isn’t giving in to the ransom demands: according to the company, hackers tied to Liquid are still holding close to 600 BTC. Blockstream says it expects the stolen funds to be returned and has no intention of paying up.

What Happened

Hackers are holding onto nearly 600 BTC and want a ransom in exchange. Blockstream flat-out rejected the demands and called for the Bitcoin to be sent back, no strings attached.

Blockstream’s Game Plan

If the funds aren’t returned, Blockstream plans to bring in law enforcement, crypto exchanges, and forensic experts to track down and potentially recover the stolen Bitcoin.

Why This Matters

By refusing to pay and coordinating with industry players, Blockstream is making it a lot tougher for the thieves to cash out the stolen BTC, and upping the odds of tracking it. For BTC holders and crypto infrastructure players, this move shows a clear focus on using legal and technical tools to fight back against extortion.

What’s Next

Blockstream is waiting to see if the funds get returned voluntarily. If not, they’ll kick off the next steps—working with law enforcement, exchanges, and forensic teams to go after the Bitcoin.