Brussels Court Sentences Crypto Kidnappers to 12 Years in Prison

A Brussels court has sentenced three individuals to 12-year prison terms for the abduction of Stéphane Winkel's wife, a traumatic incident tied to the crypto billionaire's prominence. The kidnapping occurred on December 20, 2024, in a coordinated assault outside their Forest residence, forcing the couple into permanent relocation and prompting Winkel to abandon his cryptocurrency-focused YouTube channel.

Police responded swiftly, pursuing the kidnappers' getaway van for nearly an hour before an accident NEAR Bruges led to arrests. Court proceedings revealed unidentified masterminds remain at large, while the convicted defendants claimed coercion through death threats—arguments dismissed by judges. A juvenile accomplice faces separate proceedings, and the perpetrators owe over one million euros in restitution to the victims.

The case underscores the vulnerabilities high-profile crypto figures face, with psychological trauma lingering for the Winkel family. No direct cryptocurrency market impact was noted, but the incident highlights security risks in the industry.