According to Decrypt, two suspects charged with kidnapping and abusing a Bitcoin investor in New York, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, were granted bail at $1 million each on Wednesday local time. Despite facing charges that could lead to life imprisonment, the judge stated that there were discrepancies in the credibility of witnesses and the narratives presented by both parties, leading to the decision to approve bail.

The prosecution stated that the two had subjected an Italian businessman to two weeks of violent coercion with the aim of obtaining cryptocurrency assets, including electric shocks, beatings, and death threats. The defense claimed that the so-called "victim" was not forcibly detained and submitted video evidence of his participation in social activities. Casa Security Company reported that it had tracked 30 similar incidents in the first half of 2025, urging cryptocurrency holders to enhance their physical security measures.