A 39-year-old man in the Eastern District of Seoul has been officially charged with attempted murder and violating pesticide laws following an attack on his business partner’s life. The conflict arose from significant losses in their joint Bitcoin investments, which led to tension between the business co-owners.
This is reported by Finway
Attempt using a banned insecticide
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on November 23, 2025, at a café near Lake Seokchon in the Songpa District. The suspect mixed methomyl—a banned insecticide—into his business partner’s coffee. After consuming the drink, the victim lost consciousness and was taken to intensive care, where he spent three days in a coma. Doctors managed to stabilize his condition, but the victim remains under medical supervision.
“The victim lost consciousness shortly after consuming the drink and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The poisoning victim spent three days in a coma, and doctors struggled to stabilize his condition, according to police reports.”
The investigation revealed that since 2022, the two men had been jointly managing the business, using investment programs related to Bitcoin. The sudden drop in the cryptocurrency’s value in 2025 resulted in one partner losing over $811,000, causing financial strain and provoking conflict.
Criminal risks of the cryptocurrency market
At the time of the incident, the value of Bitcoin had decreased by nearly a third from its peak of $126,000, standing at $65,500. The drop in value intensified psychological pressure on investors and set the stage for the crime. According to law enforcement, the suspect had purchased the poison in advance and began planning the attack after financial control of the company shifted to his partner.
The first court hearing is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at the Eastern District Court of Seoul. The case has become another example of the criminal risks associated with investments in crypto assets. Analysts note an increase in crimes related to digital currencies, including threats, assaults, and kidnappings aimed at gaining access to wallets.
Similar incidents have been reported in various countries in recent years: perpetrators are increasingly using physical force to gain access to the cryptocurrency assets of partners or company executives. Experts attribute this to the rising value of digital assets and the lack of centralized control over them.