One common misconception in digital asset fraud is that stolen cryptocurrency is irretrievable — that the anonymous nature of blockchain renders perpetrators invisible and victims without recourse. However, the legal system is adapting in response to advances in technology.

In the Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery 2026 edition of Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR), Wendy Lin (Head of Asset Recovery & International Enforcement), alongside Partners Joel Quek, Jill Ann Koh, and Lin Chunlong, examine how Singapore courts have adopted practical mechanisms to address cryptocurrency fraud - these include judicially recognising cryptocurrency as property, issuing freezing orders against “persons unknown”, authorising service of court process via social media platforms, and deploying Soulbound NFTs to digitally mark compromised wallets and block the onward movement of stolen funds. 

For victims of digital asset fraud, time is the critical variable. While stolen assets frequently transit through centralised exchanges that are responsive to court orders, the window to act before funds are further obscured or withdrawn is narrow. Singapore’s evolving framework demonstrates that with the right combination of legal strategy and technical literacy, recovering stolen digital assets is increasingly achievable.

Click below to read the full chapter.