Spain Seizes Crypto Wallets in Major Manga Piracy Crackdown

[ed]

Authorities in Spain have seized two crypto cold wallets containing roughly €400,000 during a raid targeting what officials described as the country’s largest illegal manga distribution platform. The operation, carried out in Almería, led to the arrest of three suspects and the discovery of the wallets hidden inside a wall thermometer — a detail that highlights how creative bad actors have become in concealing digital assets.

According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the website had been operating since 2014, offering free access to pirated manga while generating over €4 million in advertising revenue. The investigation began in mid-2025 after complaints from rights holders, marking a long-running effort to shut down one of the most prominent piracy hubs in the Spanish-speaking world.

However, seizing the hardware is only part of the battle. Authorities have not confirmed whether they possess the private keys needed to access the funds. The case underscores a growing issue in crypto-related investigations: even when law enforcement physically secures wallets, accessing the assets inside can remain a significant technical and legal challenge.

[cryptohog]

hid €400K in a wall thermometer. this man was built different. villain arc fully unlocked