Last week, an attempted kidnapping in Paris targeted the daughter and grandchild of a crypto entrepreneur, adding to a troubling trend of attacks on crypto figures in France. Since January 2025, three kidnapping attempts have been reported involving individuals linked to the cryptocurrency industry.
Crypto-related violence is not confined to France. Globally, crypto moguls are increasingly becoming prime targets. This highlights the dark side of the cryptocurrency boom, where immense wealth attracts both opportunity and danger. Beyond abductions, the mysterious deaths of prominent figures have also plagued the crypto industry over the years.
Nikolai Mushegian
Nikolai Mushegian was a well-known software engineer and cryptocurrency developer. He was one of the early contributors to the development of the MakerDAO project (now Sky), which is behind the Dai stablecoin (upgraded to Sky Dollar). Mushegian also co-founded Balancer Labs.
The 29-year-old was found dead in Puerto Rico, near the Condado Beach in San Juan, on October 28, 2022. The cause of the crypto millionaire’s death was determined to be drowning, but the circumstances surrounding it quickly sparked intense discussion due to his final cryptic social media posts.
“3 possible futures for me 1) suicided by CIA 2) CIA brain damage slave asset 3) worst nightmare of people who fucked with me up until now, I am sure these are the only options,” Mushegian wrote in September 2022.
Despite this, the police found no evidence to substantiate the theory that he was intentionally harmed. It is also worth noting that Condado Beach, where the incident occurred, is known for its dangerous currents and strong waves. The beach has a history of fatal accidents. Thus, his death was officially ruled an accident.
Fernando Pérez Algaba
Fernando Pérez Algaba was an Argentine businessman and crypto millionaire. He was famous for driving luxury cars and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, which he often shared with his Instagram followers. Unfortunately, Algaba passed away in July 2023 at the age of 41.
On July 23, authorities were alerted when children playing near a stream in Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires Province, discovered a red suitcase containing dismembered body parts. An autopsy later revealed that the victim had been shot three times before being dismembered.
The New York Post later revealed that Algaba had received threatening messages in the week leading up to his death. He also owed large sums of money to Argentina’s tax agency. Moreover, Algaba also had some conflicts with a notorious local gang that demanded $40,000 from him.
“If something happens to me, everyone has been warned,” the note read.
Mircea Popescu
Mircea Popescu was a Romanian-born Bitcoin maximalist and blogger. He was recognized for his early involvement in cryptocurrency and his controversial online presence. His unapologetic views on Bitcoin’s value and disdain for centralized financial systems earned him the title “The Father of Bitcoin Toxicity.”
Popescu passed away in June 2021, aged 41. He reportedly drowned while swimming off the coast of Costa Rica. It was rumored that Popescu had held over 1 million BTC at the time of his death.
“Mircea Popescu died last week. He was a thoroughly unlikeable person who taught me so much about Bitcoin. I think the thing that will stick with me is his insistence that noobs lurk for 6 months before saying anything. We’d have stronger communities if this was a tradition,” entrepreneur Riccardo Spagni posted on X.
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