In this study, we extensively analysed the differentially expressed lncRNAs in regions with recurrent chromosomal aberrations in the HCC genome and characterized a novel oncogenic long intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA) in HCC, LINC01138. LINC01138 is significantly associated with the malignant features and poor outcomes of HCC patients and exerts its biological functions through the oncogenic IGF2BP1/IGF2BP3-LINC01138-PRMT5 axis in HCC cells. Here, IGF2BP3 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.