On July 4, 2025, the Brussels Criminal Court sentenced three individuals to 12 years in prison each for kidnapping the wife of Belgian crypto investor Stéphane Winkel.
The attack happened in December 2024. Local media outlet La Dernière Heure reported the verdict.
The court found the men guilty of hostage-taking. They kidnapped Winkel’s wife outside her residence and forced her into a van.
The group then demanded a cryptocurrency ransom. The police arrested them after a high-speed pursuit and recovered the victim without serious injury.
The court also ordered the three men to pay €1 million ($1.2 million) in civil damages.
However, the judges confirmed that the organizers behind the kidnapping remain unidentified.
The defendants claimed they were forced to commit the act under threats, but the court rejected this defense.
A minor was also involved in the case. A separate trial in juvenile court is handling that part.
Crypto Investor Stéphane Winkel’s Wife Was the Target
Stéphane Winkel, a known crypto investor and entrepreneur in Belgium, operates multiple online education platforms, including Crypto Académie and Crypto Sun.
His YouTube channel had around 40,000 subscribers at the time of the incident. The content focused on cryptocurrency education, wallet usage, and market updates.
The kidnapping left Winkel and his family shaken. Following the incident, the family relocated. In January 2025, Winkel shared a post on X stating:
“I consider myself a defender of freedom, but I now realize that safety must become an absolute priority for me and those around me.”
After the event, Winkel changed his approach to public content. He announced he would no longer demonstrate wallets or hold public contests.
He said he would continue producing educational material focused on market analysis and risk awareness.
Stéphane Winkel Returns to YouTube After Kidnapping Incident
Winkel resumed his online activity in late June 2025 with a new format. His latest YouTube video included only voice narration, avoiding any on-camera appearance. This marked his first video upload since the December 2024 incident.
Previously, Winkel appeared regularly on camera discussing topics such as memecoins and blockchain trends.
In one video from November 2024, he discussed risks and speculation in crypto investments. Since the incident, his content now emphasizes user privacy and security.
The decision to avoid on-screen presence reflects the impact of the kidnapping on Winkel’s online behavior. His voice-only format now defines his restructured channel.
Crypto Kidnapping Cases Rise Across Europe
The Belgian crypto kidnapping is one of several similar incidents reported in 2025. In France , a 23-year-old man was kidnapped in June.
The attackers demanded a €5,000 ($5,764) cash ransom and access to his Ledger hardware wallet. The man’s partner was also threatened during the event.
In another case in May 2025, three suspects tried to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the CEO of Paymium, a French cryptocurrency exchange. Law enforcement intervened before the suspects completed the abduction.
These cases highlight a pattern where crypto investors or their relatives are targeted due to their digital asset holdings.
Law enforcement continues to investigate these events. In Winkel’s case, authorities confirmed that the main organizers remain at large.
