From Cointelegraph
June 11, 2025 5:49 pm:

Two men charged with kidnapping and torturing a cryptocurrency holder in NYC plead not guilty. They allegedly abducted the victim, a friend, and used electric shocks and beatings to access his crypto wallet. If convicted, they could face life in prison. The victim managed to escape after being held for three weeks.

The case is part of a series of attacks targeting individuals with ties to digital asset companies or large amounts of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. In another incident in France, three masked men attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of a crypto company CEO. The victim in the NYC case was held in an apartment in SoHo.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is promoting a friendlier crypto environment in the city. He hosted a digital asset summit and proposed creating BTC-backed municipal bonds. Adams has also called for an end to the state’s BitLicense program, which requires businesses managing crypto investments from NY residents to obtain a license.

Read more at Cointelegraph: Defendants Plead Not Guilty In NYC Crypto Kidnapping And Torture Case