Crypto CEO kidnapped in Toronto, released after paying $1M ransom

The CEO of Canadian cryptocurrency firm WonderFi was kidnapped and held for ransom on Wednesday, according to CBC. Dean Skurka was reportedly shoved into a vehicle in downtown Toronto during rush hour, only to be released uninjured after electronically sending $1 million (presumably CAD) to his captors.

The WonderFi CEO is the latest crypto celebrity to fall victim to a violent robbery. This is the 171st incident of physical violence to steal cryptocurrency, a security firm tells the CBC.

Skurka’s company reported third-quarter earnings a day before the incident, generating $41 million CAD in revenue during the last nine months. Meanwhile, the price of Bitcoin soared above $76,000 this week, reaching a new record high for the digital currency.

WonderFi is backed by Shark Tank co-host Kevin O’Leary and is among the most prominent publicly listed crypto firms in Canada, per Cointelegraph.