Bitrue Co-founder Speaks Out: Firmly Resisting Defamation and Extortion by Martin Wehrmann
As a global cryptocurrency exchange, Bitrue has always prioritized user rights and platform reputation. Recently, we discovered that German lawyer Martin Wehrmann has spread misleading information online in the name of Bitrue. We strongly condemn this and call on the industry to jointly resist such unethical behavior.
Martin Wehrmann recently published an article targeting Bitrue on the legal Q&A platform Anwalt.de, titled “Bitrue Scam 2025? Can Funds Be Recovered After a Scam?” While ostensibly educating users about crypto scams, the article immediately suggests that if users encounter withdrawal issues on Bitrue, “there may be a problem and a lawyer should be consulted.” In reality, the deposit and withdrawal processes of Bitrue have always been robust and timely, except in rare cases where user accounts require compliance review. The article by Wehrmann equates normal delays with scams, which is pure fearmongering. Worse, he uses this to promote his legal services, urging users to contact him for help—a clear attempt to profit from user anxiety.
Our investigation shows Wehrmann operates a business model of mass defamation and extortion. He selects multiple exchanges, writes similar “warning” articles hinting at scams or withdrawal issues, and leverages their high search engine visibility to pressure platforms. According to several affected companies, Wehrmann then contacts the platforms via email or letter, demanding payment for deletion or modification of the articles, threatening to continue publishing negative content if ignored. His fees are substantial, with some companies quoted over €2,000 per month. If ignored or refused, he launches new smear campaigns on social media, including fake negative reviews and blog posts.
Bitrue has zero tolerance for such conduct. We have joined several other defamed international platforms in commissioning a prominent European law firm to evaluate legal action. Initial considerations include filing a defamation lawsuit against Wehrmann in Germany and reporting his breaches of professional ethics to the bar association where he is registered. We are also cooperating with law enforcement and providing evidence. It is reported that European cybercrime authorities are aware of the pattern by Wehrmann of spreading false information and suspected extortion, and are collecting leads for investigation.
We also remind all Bitrue users: Bitrue always puts user interests first and never arbitrarily withholds or misappropriates user assets. Any claim that Bitrue engages in scams or misappropriation is a serious distortion of the facts. If you encounter trading or account issues, please seek help through the official website or customer service channels of Bitrue, and do not trust unknown “legal advisors.” If you see false accusations about Bitrue on forums or social media, please report them to us, and we will clarify and take necessary measures to protect our reputation.
Finally, we call on the entire crypto industry to unite against such bad actors masquerading as lawyers. Actions by Wehrmann are a travesty of legal justice and amount to digital extortion under a legal guise. We believe that through industry solidarity and legal means, he will eventually be held accountable, restoring a fair and just marketplace.