Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

A court in Belgium has issued 12-year prison sentences to three individuals involved in the December 2024 kidnapping of the wife of a local cryptocurrency entrepreneur.

The case, which has drawn attention within both legal and crypto communities, centers on a ransom demand made in digital assets, highlighting the growing concerns about the intersection of financial technology and physical security.

Court Ruling and Ongoing Investigations

The Brussels Criminal Court found the trio guilty of hostage-taking after abducting the victim outside her residence and forcing her into a van. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a crypto ransom in exchange for her release.

Authorities acted swiftly after the woman’s husband, Stéphane Winkel, a known figure in the local crypto education scene, alerted law enforcement. Police intercepted the vehicle and executed a high-risk maneuver to halt it, freeing the victim and apprehending the suspects.

In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the convicted individuals to pay a civil compensation of at least €1 million (approximately $1.2 million) to the victim. While the sentences mark the legal conclusion for the three kidnappers, the case remains open in some respects.

The court acknowledged that the principal figures behind the orchestration of the crime are still unknown. The defendants’ claims that they were acting under duress, allegedly threatened with death if they did not carry out the kidnapping, were dismissed by the court.

The case also involves a minor, whose role is being addressed separately through Belgium’s juvenile justice system. According to reports from La Dernière Heure, the court emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need to maintain deterrence, particularly in criminal activities intersecting with emerging financial sectors like crypto.

The victim and her family have not been named in detail in court documents to protect their privacy, but the psychological toll has reportedly been substantial.

The Effect on Winkel Family and Crypto Community

Stéphane Winkel is known for his educational efforts within the cryptocurrency space. He runs platforms such as Crypto Académie and Crypto Sun, which aim to make digital asset investing more accessible to the public.

His YouTube channel, which has roughly over 39,000 subscribers, typically featured tutorials, giveaways, and wallet walkthroughs. However, the traumatic incident has prompted a shift in both his personal and public life.

In a post on X  published shortly after the incident, Winkel stated, “I consider myself a defender of freedom, but I now realize that safety must become an absolute priority for me and those around me.”

He also pledged to avoid public wallet demonstrations or promotional giveaways going forward, instead focusing his content on market analysis and education.

After several months of silence, Winkel returned to YouTube in June 2025, opting for voice-only narration in his videos rather than appearing on camera, a move that aligns with his new emphasis on privacy and security.

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Three teenagers are being accused of kidnapping a wealthy investor and then stealing $4 million in digital assets after driving him to a desert outside of Las Vegas.

Court records show that Belal Ashraf and Austin Fletcher, both 16, are now facing charges of robbery, kidnapping and extortion, while a third yet-named accomplice remains at large, reports local CBS-affiliate 8 News Now.

A juvenile court judge previously ruled that Ashraf and Fletcher, both from Florida, will face charges as adults. Prosecutors say the third teenager is no longer in the US.

According to court documents, the incident occurred in November and was reported to police by the unnamed victim, who was hosting a cryptocurrency event in downtown Las Vegas.

When he returned to his apartment from the event, the three suspects allegedly approached him after he parked his car and forced him into the back seat of their vehicle, where they held him at gunpoint.

Says court documents,

“[The victim] was told if he complied, he would live to see another day, and if he did not comply, they had his dad and would kill him. [The victim] had a towel placed over his head and was told by the suspects not to look at them.”

The teenagers allegedly demanded that the victim give them his passwords to access his financial accounts, enabling them to allegedly make off with $4 million in cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The three teenagers are accused of driving the victim about an hour away from Vegas to White Hills, Arizona, where they allegedly left the victim after stealing his crypto.

The man walked five miles across the desert to reach a gas station where he called a friend to pick him up, according to court documents.

Police say they were able to track down the suspects by honing in on a possible suspect’s vehicle traveling from Florida to Nevada, which was also spotted around the victim’s apartment.

Court proceedings against the two teens are ongoing.

Follow us on X, Facebook and Telegram

Don’t Miss a Beat – Subscribe to get email alerts delivered directly to your inbox

Check Price Action

Surf The Daily Hodl Mix

&nbsp

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at The Daily Hodl are not investment advice. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in Bitcoin, cryptocurrency or digital assets. Please be advised that your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. The Daily Hodl does not recommend the buying or selling of any cryptocurrencies or digital assets, nor is The Daily Hodl an investment advisor. Please note that The Daily Hodl participates in affiliate marketing.

Generated Image: Midjourney

Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria in 2024, accepted The Digital Chamber’s first-ever Hero Award at the DC Blockchain Summit in Washington, D.C., where he recounted the conditions of his captivity.

Gambaryan, arrested alongside fellow Binance employee Nadeem Anjarwalla in Nigeria in February 2024, appeared in better spirits during one of his first public appearances since his detention.

Tigran Gambaryan Receives Hero Award and Speaks on Detention

Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH), presenting the award, said: “Few people have suffered for this industry the way you have.”

“Thank you for what you’ve done in service to our country and in service to our industry,” he added.

This marked the first time the Hero Award was given, recognizing Gambaryan’s personal and professional sacrifices.

Tigran Gambaryan Endured Medical Struggles While Detained

While Anjarwalla escaped, Gambaryan—head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance—faced multiple medical issues, including malaria, double pneumonia, and a herniated disc that impaired his mobility.

“I’m not okay,” Gambaryan said during a court hearing in September 2024, visibly struggling to walk. “Why couldn’t I use a god—- wheelchair? This is a show. I’m innocent—why are you doing this to me?”

U.S. lawmakers took notice of his condition. Representatives French Hill (R-OH) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) visited the detained compliance chief at Kuje prison outside Abuja, Nigeria, in June 2024, where they found him in poor conditions.

“Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs,” Hill said in a statement at the time.

Legal Charges and Political Tensions

Gambaryan was charged in Nigeria with violations related to money laundering and tax compliance, though critics argue he was being used as leverage in the country’s ongoing dispute with Binance.

“Hopefully, those that did this will one day face justice,” Gambaryan told the crowd, reflecting on the experience that led to his arrest and prolonged detention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The post Kidnapped Binance Exec Tigran Gambaryan Receives First Ever Hero Award At DC Blockchain Summit appeared first on Cryptonews.