Accidental 2,000 BTC Airdrop Crashes Bitcoin Price 10% on Bithumb

Core Insights - Bithumb experienced a significant operational mishap on February 6, 2026, leading to a double-digit decline in the BTC/KRW trading pair [1] - An accidental airdrop of 2,000 Bitcoin (BTC) instead of 2,000 Korean Won (KRW) triggered a sell-off, causing Bitcoin's price on Bithumb to drop over 10% [2] - The incident raised concerns about internal controls and risk management at cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly regarding high-value digital assets [4][7] Incident Details - The airdrop was intended as a small incentive for users, but the error resulted in hundreds of users receiving Bitcoin instead of the intended KRW reward [2][4] - Some users capitalized on the mistake by selling their unexpected Bitcoin at market prices, benefiting from the situation [4] - The price drop was primarily isolated to Bithumb due to its unique order book, with other exchanges remaining unaffected by the selling pressure [5][6] Market Impact - The operational error highlights ongoing risks in major exchanges, despite advancements in the industry [7] - The incident illustrates how a simple input error can lead to significant market disruption, emphasizing the need for robust risk management practices [7]