Kidnapping Case of Cryptocurrency Entrepreneur’s Wife
In a notable case from Belgium, a court has convicted three individuals for their involvement in the kidnapping of the wife of celebrated cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Stéphane Winkel. The Brussels Criminal Court imposed sentences of 12 years in prison on these offenders, who were found guilty of taking Winkel’s wife hostage in December 2024, according to a report by La Dernière Heure.
Details of the Incident
The incident unfolded outside the family home, where the victim was seized and forced into a van, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom payable in cryptocurrency. Prompted by Winkel’s alert, law enforcement swiftly tracked down the vehicle. Utilizing a dangerous maneuver, they were able to immobilize the van, freeing the victim and apprehending the kidnappers.
Although the perpetrators were held accountable, the court acknowledged that they still do not know the identities of the masterminds orchestrating the kidnapping. Additionally, the court dismissed claims made by the defendants that they had been coerced into committing the crime under the threat of death. The convicted individuals were also ordered to pay a substantial sum of at least 1 million euros (around $1.2 million) to the victim as civil damages.
Impact on Stéphane Winkel
Interestingly, the case also involves a minor, who is being dealt with in a separate juvenile court proceeding. This troubling episode has significantly affected Winkel’s crypto-related activities. Known for his expertise, Winkel operates educational initiatives such as Crypto Académie and Crypto Sun, as well as a popular YouTube channel that provides free guidance to aspiring crypto investors, boasting an audience of about 40,000 subscribers.
Following the traumatic experience, both Winkel and his wife required urgent intervention from authorities and have expressed profound psychological impact from the ordeal, leading them to reconsider their living situation.
“I consider myself a defender of freedom, but I now realize that safety must become an absolute priority for me and those around me,”
Winkel stated in a post back in January.
Future Plans and Trends
Promising to continue producing educational content, Winkel indicated a shift in his approach to avoid risks, opting for safer content that emphasizes market analysis and education instead of contests or wallet demonstrations. In late June, he marked his return to YouTube with the release of a voiceover-only video, reflecting a significant change from his previous on-camera style.
Winkel’s harrowing experience underscores a disturbing trend of kidnappings linked to cryptocurrency investments globally. Just weeks prior, a similar incident occurred in France involving the kidnapping of a 23-year-old man, whose partner was extorted for 5,000 euros in cash and access to his cryptocurrency wallet. Furthermore, in May, an attempted kidnapping was aimed at the family members of Pierre Noizat, the co-founder and CEO of the crypto exchange Paymium, reinforcing the escalating dangers faced by public figures within the cryptocurrency realm.
