Europe Cracks Down on Crypto Crime as US Pushes Crypto Policy Agenda

VISI.NEWS | BANDUNG - A Belgian court has sentenced three individuals to 12 years in prison each for their involvement in a violent cryptocurrency-related kidnapping. The trio abducted the wife of local crypto entrepreneur Stéphane Winkel in December 2024, demanding ransom payments in digital assets. According to reports from La Dernière Heure, the victim was taken outside her residence and forced into a van. Swift police action, spurred by a tip-off from Winkel, led to a dramatic vehicle stop and rescue. In addition to prison time, the convicted kidnappers were ordered to pay at least € 1 million ($ 1.2 million) in damages. The court noted that while the direct perpetrators were punished, the masterminds behind the attack remain unknown. Meanwhile, in the United States, Republican House leaders have declared July 14–18 as 'Crypto Week,' aiming to review and potentially advance three pivotal pieces of legislation: the CLARITY Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the Senate’s GENIUS Act, which focuses on stablecoin regulation. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bills align with former President Donald Trump’s crypto agenda, calling them part of a decisive move toward a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. Complementing these efforts, Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a standalone bill to revamp how digital assets are taxed in the U.S. After crypto-related provisions were left out of the latest budget legislation, the Wyoming Senator’s proposal seeks to introduce a $300 de minimis exemption for everyday crypto transactions and defer taxation on staking and mining rewards until the assets are sold. The bill also includes exemptions for crypto lending and charitable donations involving digital assets. Lummis described the legislation as 'common-sense' and critical to preventing outdated tax laws from stifling American digital innovation. @ffr