• A South Korean man was charged with attempted murder after allegedly poisoning his business partner over Bitcoin losses.

• The victim survived, highlighting growing risks linked to crypto-related disputes.

Two businessmen running a crypto business in South Korea have led to serious criminal charges after the government lawyers said that one person had tried to poison his business partner over the loss of a bitcoin investment in the business. 

What Exactly Happened

Prosecutors in Seoul have indicated that the 39-year-old man is charged with attempting to murder, which also violates the country’s Pesticide Control Act. According to the authorities, the accused man is suspected of mixing the toxic pesticide called methomyl into his business partner’s coffee during the meeting at a cafe near Seokchon Lake. After drinking the coffee, the victim collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. He fell into a coma but regained his consciousness after three days, and he is still receiving medical treatment. 

The two men had been working together since 2022 in the business. A dispute arose after the accused man personally invested 1.117 billion won and lost all the money. Authorities believe that the fight started in September when the victim took control of managing the company’s funds. Authorities also claimed that the suspect purchased the poison before the investment loss occurred. 

Court Hearing

The first court hearing is scheduled for March 10 at the Seoul Eastern District Court, and once they are convicted, they could face severe penalties under the country’s law. This case shows that the crypto-related physical violence is increasing worldwide. According to the report, these crimes increased 75% in 2025 compared to the previous year. 

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