Three men have been sentenced to 12 years in prison by a Belgian court for the violent kidnapping of the wife of prominent crypto investor Stéphane Winkel. The attack, which occurred in December 2024, was part of a disturbing attempt to extort cryptocurrency from Winkel, a public figure in Belgium’s digital asset scene.

According to local media, the victim was snatched outside her home, forced into a van, and held hostage as the kidnappers demanded a crypto ransom. Thanks to a swift alert from Winkel and a high-risk pursuit by law enforcement, police intercepted the van and rescued the woman unharmed. The court also ordered the attackers to pay over €1 million ($1.2 million) in civil damages.

Despite the convictions, the masterminds behind the kidnapping remain unidentified. The defendants claimed they were forced into the crime under threat of death, but the court dismissed those claims. A minor also involved in the case is being handled in juvenile court.

Winkel, who runs crypto education platforms such as Crypto Académie and Crypto Sun, was left deeply shaken. His YouTube channel, with around 40,000 subscribers, went silent until June 2025. In his return video, Winkel appeared only via voiceover, stating he’s now prioritizing safety and will no longer host giveaways or wallet demos.

This case adds to a growing list of crypto-related kidnappings worldwide. Recent incidents in France and among other high-profile investors underline the increasing dangers of public crypto exposure.

As the crypto industry expands, so do threats targeting its most visible figures—raising serious concerns about personal security in the digital age.