Crypto investors in Brazil may face danger as criminals turn to digital asset theft
Crypto investors in Brazil may face danger
A family in the city of São Paulo became the latest victims of a rising trend in Brazil: violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency investors.
Armed criminals broke into a home in Campo Limpo Paulista, held the residents hostage, and forced them to transfer their digital assets before fleeing with their mobile phones. The estimated loss is approximately $16,000 (R$93,500), according to Livecoins.
A new frontier for organized crime
According to reports, the criminals claimed affiliation with a criminal organization, though no suspects have been identified. The exact method by which they discovered the family’s cryptocurrency holdings remains unclear. However, this incident underscores a growing concern—crypto investors are increasingly being targeted not just online but in the real world.
Similar cases have been reported across Brazil. In 2024, a high-profile case saw a lawyer kidnapped, with her husband forced to transfer crypto as ransom. Tragically, she was murdered despite the payment. More recently, even the co-founder of Ledger, a company specializing in crypto wallets, was kidnapped in France before being released.
Security experts warn that discussing digital assets publicly, wearing clothing with cryptocurrency symbols, or flaunting wealth online may invite criminal attention. As the cryptocurrency market continues to grow, so does the risk of physical threats to investors.
Authorities in São Paulo are investigating the latest case, but no further details have been disclosed. Meanwhile, companies such as Prosegur have started offering private custody solutions to enhance security for those holding significant crypto assets.
Meanwhile, Brazil has solidified its status as a global leader in crypto, with 26 million citizens—12% of the population—owning digital assets. This ranks the country sixth worldwide in crypto adoption, highlighting its growing impact in the sector.
