Bitcoin or Your Life? Israeli Trader Stabbed, $600K Stolen in Brutal Home Invasion

Digital gold meets old-school violence as cryptocurrency's dark underbelly surfaces in a shocking home invasion.

The Price of Crypto Wealth

Armed assailants targeted an Israeli trader's residence, demanding access to Bitcoin wallets while wielding knives instead of keyboards. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds during the confrontation—proof that private keys aren't the only security concern in decentralized finance.

Security Paradox

While blockchain networks boast military-grade encryption, physical security remains the weakest link. The thieves made off with $600,000 in digital assets—a reminder that cold wallets don't stop hot-blooded criminals. Another day in crypto where the 'not your keys, not your coins' mantra takes on terrifying new meaning.

Traditional finance might have boring paperwork and slow transfers, but at least your banker rarely shows up with a knife. The crypto revolution continues—just watch your back while you HODL.

How The Attack Unfolded

Reports have disclosed that the assailants waited in the stairwell outside the victim’s apartment and struck at about 8:10 a.m. They forced their way in when the door opened. The attacker tied the man up and stabbed him twice, each wound above the knee.

They threatened harm to his family to force him to hand over wallet codes. At first, the group demanded 500 Bitcoin, a demand that was later scaled down as violence was used to extract access.

Under pressure, the victim surrendered credentials that allowed transfers of approximately $547,260 in bitcoin and $42,248 in USDT.

The intruders also took a Rolex watch valued at about $50,000, a laptop, a Trezor hardware wallet, around €5,300 in cash and several thousand Israeli shekels. Before leaving, they sprayed disinfectant inside the flat—apparently in an effort to erase traces.

Arrest And Charges

Based on reports, police arrested 46-year-old Murad Mahajna on September 10. He was indicted by the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office.

The charges include breaking and entering, aggravated robbery, extortion by threats, obstruction of justice and making threats.

Prosecutors say they linked Mahajna to the scene using phone records, voice identification, technological data and CCTV footage. He is described as having a criminal history with 10 prior convictions for matters including violence, drugs and weapons.

The sums in this case are specific. Roughly $589,508 in crypto was reportedly moved from the victim’s accounts — the combined total of the Bitcoin and USDT transfers.

When the watch and cash are added, the financial loss approaches the headline figure of $600K that circulated in early reports.

Crypto-analytics sources tracking physical attacks on holders listed this event among confirmed “wrench” style assaults; one count put it as the 52nd such physical attack recorded in 2025.

Phone calls allegedly made after the assault pressured the victim for more coins and included threats to “find” family members if demands were not met.

Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView