Spanish law enforcement has dismantled what officials describe as the country’s largest illegal Spanish-language manga distribution network, uncovering cryptocurrency assets stored in physical cold wallets during the operation.
Authorities in Almería arrested three individuals linked to the platform and recovered two hardware wallets concealed inside a wall-mounted thermometer. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, the devices are believed to hold approximately €400,000 (around $467,000) in digital assets.
A Decade-Long Piracy Operation
Investigators revealed that the website had been operating since 2014, offering users free access to pirated manga content. Over the years, the platform reportedly attracted a large audience and generated more than €4 million (roughly $4.6 million) in revenue, primarily through advertising.
The case was initiated in June 2025 after multiple complaints were filed by copyright holders. Authorities say the operation represents one of the most significant crackdowns on digital piracy in Spain’s recent history.
Crypto Storage Raises New Questions
One of the most striking elements of the raid was the discovery of cryptocurrency stored offline in cold wallets. Unlike online exchanges, cold wallets are physical devices used to store digital assets securely, making them harder to trace or access without the proper credentials.
Officials have not confirmed whether they were able to retrieve the private keys or passwords required to access the funds. This uncertainty highlights a growing challenge for law enforcement agencies dealing with digital assets—seizing the hardware does not necessarily guarantee control over the contents.
The Spanish Interior Ministry has yet to provide additional details regarding access to the seized funds.
Crypto’s Expanding Role Beyond Traditional Crime
The case underscores how cryptocurrency is increasingly appearing in investigations that are not directly related to typical crypto crimes such as fraud or hacking. Instead, digital assets are now being used as a means of storing and potentially laundering proceeds from a wide range of illicit activities, including intellectual property theft.
As enforcement agencies adapt, the intersection of digital piracy and crypto finance is becoming more prominent.
South Korea Highlights Custody Risks
Meanwhile, developments in South Korea illustrate that even after digital assets are seized, maintaining secure custody presents its own risks.
In February, authorities discovered that approximately 22 Bitcoin—valued at around $1.5 million at the time—had gone missing from storage at the Gangnam Police Station. The funds had originally been confiscated in 2021 but were later found to have been transferred out of custody, despite the physical wallet remaining intact.
The incident came to light during a nationwide review of digital asset handling procedures.
Previous Losses and Legal Developments
The Gangnam case followed another high-profile incident in August 2025, when 320 Bitcoin—worth about $21.3 million—disappeared from the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office. Investigators attributed that loss to a compromised password resulting from a phishing attack.
Adding to the evolving legal landscape, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled in January 2026 that Bitcoin held on centralized exchanges can be confiscated by authorities if tied to criminal investigations. This decision effectively allows law enforcement to freeze exchange-based holdings belonging to suspects.
Growing Complexity for Authorities
Together, these cases highlight the increasing complexity of handling digital assets in criminal investigations. While cryptocurrencies can be seized, ensuring secure storage and maintaining control over those assets remain significant challenges for authorities worldwide.
As crypto adoption continues to expand, law enforcement agencies are likely to face mounting pressure to develop more robust systems for managing seized digital wealth.
