Taipei Prosecutors Indict 12 Over Dark-Web Data Trade Paid in USDT

Dark-web markets and cryptocurrency payments have made stolen personal data easier to trade across borders while complicating efforts to trace buyers and sellers. The case is significant because the database allegedly covered people across Taiwan and exposed information linked to Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, highlighting risks ranging from identity fraud and targeted scams to corporate security and the protection of sensitive government information.

The Taiwan Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted 12 suspects on Aug. 6, 2026, over the alleged purchase of 51.69 million personal-data records through the dark web. Prosecutors said the principal suspect used 5,000 USDT, the Tether stablecoin, for the transaction and published information belonging to Huang and others. The suspect was also accused of working with Chinese officials and handing over classified information. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings.