A 33-year-old Canadian cryptocurrency entrepreneur was kidnapped in Madrid, Spain, and two suspects have been arrested

According to market news, a kidnapping incident aimed at stealing BTC and cryptocurrency private keys recently occurred in Madrid, Spain. A 33-year-old Canadian cryptocurrency entrepreneur was forcibly pushed into a rented van with altered license plates by multiple men. Witnesses immediately called the police, and the Spanish National Police intercepted the vehicle near Atocha Station, successfully rescuing the victim. Two Serbian suspects, aged 32 and 45, were arrested on the spot, while another suspect remains at large.

According to police investigations, this kidnapping was a premeditated act. The victim had previously traveled from Barcelona to Madrid for financial business discussions and was suspected to have been tracked by the suspects in advance. The suspects intended to use personal coercion to force the victim to hand over the mnemonic phrase and private keys of their cryptocurrency wallet. This method is known in the security field as a "wrench attack." Police seized plastic zip ties and pills as tools used in the crime from the vehicle. Additionally, the suspects attempted to steal a luxury watch worth 100,000 euros from the victim. The victim was not seriously injured, and the case is still under investigation.

This case is one of a series of personal attacks against cryptocurrency holders in Europe in 2026, with France recording 11 related cases this year.