Brussels Court Sentences Kidnappers in Cryptocurrency Ransom Case Involving Bitcoin Demand

On July 4th, the Brussels Criminal Court handed down a significant ruling in a high-profile cryptocurrency kidnapping case. Three perpetrators received 12-year prison sentences each for abducting the spouse of Stéphane Winkel, a prominent local crypto entrepreneur, in December 2024. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency and were also ordered to pay over 1 million euros in civil damages to the victim. Despite the victim’s timely rescue by law enforcement, she endured substantial physical and psychological trauma, prompting the Winkel family to relocate for safety. Stéphane Winkel, known for founding the crypto education platform Crypto Académie with a following of 40,000 on YouTube, announced a strategic pivot in his content. Moving forward, he intends to prioritize crypto security education over wallet operation tutorials, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding digital assets in an increasingly volatile environment.