The Brussels Criminal Court has imposed 12-year prison sentences on three individuals convicted of kidnapping the spouse of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Stéphane Winkel. The abduction occurred in December 2024 when perpetrators targeted the family member of Crypto Académie’s founder, demanding a cryptocurrency ransom for their release.
Beyond incarceration, the court ordered the kidnappers to pay the victim 1 million euros in civil damages for trauma suffered during the ordeal. The psychological impact prompted the Winkel family to permanently relocate due to safety concerns stemming from the attack.
Stéphane Winkel, founder of the educational platform Crypto Académie, announced that his organization will shift its content focus toward cryptocurrency security awareness following the incident. This strategic pivot aims to address vulnerabilities highlighted by the case.