Thodex CEO Dies Behind Bars While Serving Historic Prison Term
Faruk Fatih Özer, founder of the collapsed Thodex cryptocurrency exchange, was found dead in his prison cell at Tekirdağ F-Type High Security Closed Penitentiary. The 30-year-old was serving an 11,196-year sentence for his role in the platform's abrupt shutdown in April 2021, which left investors locked out of accounts holding hundreds of millions of dollars.
Authorities discovered Özer's body during a routine check, with preliminary reports suggesting possible suicide. Forensic experts are conducting a full investigation to determine the cause of death. No official statement has been released by Turkish officials.
Thodex's collapse marked one of the most dramatic failures in crypto exchange history, eroding trust in centralized platforms. The case underscores the persistent risks in digital asset markets despite growing institutional adoption.
