A crypto trader was kidnapped in Estepona, Spain, and broke both ankles while escaping from a 30-foot balcony.
The victim was lured by a group of individuals to an apartment under the guise of socializing, where he was then held captive.
The kidnappers demanded a €30,000 ransom in cryptocurrency, threatening the victim with torture and death if he failed to comply.
In a disturbing trend, cryptocurrency traders are becoming targets not only for cybercriminals but also for physical assailants willing to use violence to seize digital assets. This weekend, a crypto trader in Spain narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation.
According to , the unnamed 34-year-old trader broke his two ankles on Sunday evening while trying to escape his abductors in Marbella, Spain from a 30-foot balcony.
A Night Out Turns into a Nightmare
What started out as a night out quickly skyrocketed into a nightmare when he was persuaded by a group of individuals to join them for drinks at an apartment in Estepona. Once there, the group revealed their true intentions, allegedly kidnapping him and demanding a €30,000 ransom in digital assets. They threatened him with torture and death if he failed to comply.
In a desperate attempt to save himself, the trader feigned cooperation, making a phone call under the pretense of retrieving client account access codes. He secretly alerted a friend to his dangerous situation, who then contacted police. However, before authorities could intervene, the trader attempted a daring escape by leaping from a 30-foot balcony.
The fall resulted in both of his ankles being broken. Shortly thereafter, armed police arrived at the scene, arresting the alleged kidnappers as they attempted to flee.
🇪🇸 Les images de l’assaut de la Police espagnole qui a conduit à l’arrestation des 3 individus qui ont enlevé et séquestré un trader crypto britannique 👇 https://t.co/rbRhWCauyA pic.twitter.com/qFEq7McEFx
— Goku 🗞 (@Crypto__Goku) February 9, 2025
🇪🇸 Les images de l’assaut de la Police espagnole qui a conduit à l’arrestation des 3 individus qui ont enlevé et séquestré un trader crypto britannique 👇
— Goku 🗞 (@Crypto__Goku)
The police also raided the apartment, confiscating 25 kilograms of pink cocaine, two firearms, €10,000 in cash, three knives, and two high-value watches.
Not the First: Ledger Co-Founder Kidnapped in France
Meanwhile, this incident is part of a concerning pattern of physical attacks on individuals in the crypto industry. In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the French crypto hardware wallet company Ledger, and his partner were from their home in Vierzon, central France. However, they were both taken to different locations.
During the ordeal, Balland suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a finger, as the kidnappers sought to pressure him into complying with their demands. Shortly after the incident, the assailants reached out to another co-founder of Ledger, demanding a substantial ransom in digital assets.
Part of the payments were made for their rescue. However, the kidnappers ran out of luck when the police received information regarding the ordeal. According to reports, French elite police unit GIGN conducted a swift operation, rescuing Balland and his partner after approximately 24 hours in captivity.
In addition to the rescue, the authorities arrested ten suspects in connection with the kidnapping, though reports indicate that the gang leaders remain at large.
The police also ordered the paid cryptocurrency to be frozen. Balland and his partner are currently recovering, with Balland receiving treatment for his injuries.