Welcome to Pinoy Crypto Channel! Today we’re talking about a chilling reality—Bitcoiners and crypto holders are being hunted in real life. These aren’t just hacking cases… these are physical kidnappings, torture, and ransom demands. And according to multiple investigations from The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, and New York Post, the numbers are far worse than most people realize.
The Global Trend
According to The Guardian’s June 28, 2025 report, security experts now believe that at least one Bitcoiner is kidnapped every single week worldwide. This data came from Alena Vranova of SatoshiLabs, speaking at the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference. She warned that these aren’t isolated incidents—there’s an organized and growing criminal network targeting crypto holders in multiple countries.
The SoHo Torture Case
One of the most disturbing cases came from New York City and was covered in depth by The Wall Street Journal and New York Post earlier this month. Two men, described as ‘crypto bros,’ allegedly lured an Italian investor to a SoHo townhouse. What followed was nearly three weeks of captivity and torture to force him to give up his Bitcoin password. Prosecutors say the victim was beaten, drugged, and constantly monitored. The suspects even bragged about holding another foreign tourist hostage during a drug-fueled party in Kentucky.
The French Ledger Co-Founder Abduction
In France, Forbes reported on the January 2025 kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland. He and his wife were abducted from their countryside home and held for ransom. As a threat, the attackers allegedly severed one of Balland’s fingers and sent it to a contact—an extreme form of what the crypto community calls a ‘$5 wrench attack’.
The Global Surge in Physical Attacks
The Guardian’s investigation identified 231 physical attacks on crypto holders over the past 18 months—ranging from kidnappings and beatings to armed home invasions. Victims have been found in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, showing this is not tied to one region, but a global criminal pattern.
Why Crypto Holders Are Prime Targets
Unlike traditional banks, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, and there’s no intermediary to block or reverse them. According to a Yahoo News crime analysis, criminals prefer physical coercion over hacking because once they have your seed phrase or private key, the money is gone forever—and completely untraceable if moved correctly.
This isn’t fearmongering—it’s happening now, and it’s getting worse. If you hold cryptocurrency, you need to think about personal safety just as much as digital security. Share this video to spread awareness, hit subscribe to stay informed, and remember: in crypto, security starts with you.
