A 37-year-old cryptocurrency investor appeared in court on Saturday after being arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist in a Manhattan home, according to media reports.

John Woeltz was arraigned in New York Criminal Court at 9:00 EST (14:00 BST) on charges of kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, unlawful imprisonment and other counts, court records show.

A second person, 24-year-old Beatrice Folchi, was arrested on Saturday in connection to the case, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.

The pair were taken into custody after the victim managed to escape a home in SoHo, where he was allegedly tortured and bound for weeks, police said.

The BBC has contacted the New York Police Department, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and Mr Woeltz’s attorney for comment.

The 28-year-old victim, who has not been named, was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, police have said. Officers found several Polaroid photos of the victim being tied up and tortured, as well as firearms, in the luxury townhome, according to reports.

The victim told police he came to New York from Italy on 6 May, and that upon arriving at the suspect’s house, Mr Woeltz took his passport and allegedly held him captive until he escaped on Friday morning.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by ABC News, the victim told police that Mr Woeltz and another person beat him and hanged him off a ledge when he refused to provide his bitcoin password.

Mr Woeltz is a crypto investor from Kentucky and has been renting the SoHo home for between $30,000 (£22,000) and $40,000 per month, according to CBS News.

Cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, is digital money you can send or receive without banks, and it’s stored securely online. In 2025, Bitcoin hit a record $111,880, making up 56.7% of the $3.88 trillion crypto market. But new, super-powerful computers called quantum computers could one day hack regular cryptocurrencies. That’s where quantum cryptocurrency comes in. It’s a new type of crypto designed to stay safe even if quantum computers arrive.

Let’s explores quantum cryptocurrency, its real-world implementations, and how it safeguards the future of crypto.

What is Quantum Cryptocurrency?

Quantum cryptocurrency refers to digital currencies and blockchains using quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms to protect against quantum computing attacks. To keep it simple, it is digital money built to be extra secure against quantum computers. Regular cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, use math puzzles to keep your money safe. These puzzles are hard for normal computers to crack, but quantum computers, superfast machines that work differently, might solve them someday, putting your money at risk.

Quantum cryptocurrency uses new, stronger math puzzles that even quantum computers can’t break. Think of it like a lock that’s impossible to pick, no matter how advanced the thief’s tools are. It’s still digital money you can use to buy things, trade, or save, but it’s designed to stay safe in the future. Here’s a short video by Algorand which explains how Quantum Computing attacks:

Quantum computers are still rare and not strong enough to hack crypto yet, but companies like Google and IBM are making them better every year. Google’s new Willow chip, for example, can do some calculations in minutes that would take regular computers billions of years. If quantum computers get powerful enough, they could steal Bitcoin or other crypto by cracking their security codes. Quantum cryptocurrency protects your money by using new security methods that quantum computers can’t break. By switching to quantum-safe crypto, you can keep your money secure even as technology changes.

Quantum Cryptocurrency Projects

Several companies and projects are working on quantum cryptocurrency to make crypto safer. Here are the main ones as of 2025:

1. Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL)

• What They Do – QRL is a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, but built to be safe from quantum computers. It uses a special lock called XMSS that’s super hard to crack. You can buy QRL on exchanges like Coinbase and use it to send money or run apps

• QRL is one of the first coins designed specifically for quantum safety, making it a leader in this space.

2. Algorand (ALGO)

• What They Do – Algorand uses Falcon, a post-quantum digital signature, to sign its blockchain history every 256 blocks, securing past transactions. While not fully quantum-resistant, its roadmap includes PQC upgrades.

• Algorand balances scalability and quantum security for DeFi applications. Algorand is used for fast, cheap transactions and apps, and its quantum focus makes it a trusted name for investors. 

3. Nervos Network (CKB)

• What They Do –  Nervos runs a blockchain called CKB (Common Knowledge Base) that supports apps and digital money. It’s starting to use quantum-safe security to protect users’ funds. Nervos’ CKByte (CKB) operates on a dual-layer PoW blockchain, combining security and scalability. Its quantum-resistant features leverage NIST’s PQC standards, making it a versatile platform for dApps and asset storage.

• Nervos makes it easy for developers to build secure apps, which could bring more people to quantum-safe crypto.

4. QuChain AI ($QC)

• What They Do – Launched on Uniswap in May 2025, QuChain AI’s $QC token powers an AI-driven, quantum-secure blockchain using PQC encryption. It combines artificial intelligence (AI) with quantum-safe security to create a blockchain for smart apps

• QuChain’s mix of AI and quantum safety could make crypto easier and safer to use.

5. Big Tech and Governments

• Companies like Google and IBM are building quantum computers, while the U.S. government’s NIST group created new security standards in 2024 to fight quantum hacks. These standards help projects like QRL and Algorand stay safe. Big tech and governments are pushing quantum tech forward, making quantum-safe crypto more urgent.

How to Invest in Quantum Cryptocurrency

To engage with quantum cryptocurrency:

• Choose Quantum-Resistant Coins: Invest in QRL (~0.38), Algorand, or Nervos (CKB) via exchanges like Coinbase or Binance. Check fees, they’ll typically be under 1%.

• Secure Wallets: Use hardware wallets supporting PQC signatures, like QRL’s wallet, and enable 2FA. Never share private keys!

• Report Scams: Fraudulent quantum crypto projects are rising. Report suspicious activity to ic3.gov or local regulators.

The Future of Quantum Cryptocurrency

In 2025, quantum cryptocurrency is growing fast. More projects are adopting quantum-safe security, and big names like Ethereum are planning upgrades. People on social media are buzzing about tokens like $QC, but they also warn about fakes. By 2030, quantum computers might be stronger, so coins like QRL and Algorand could become more popular to keep your money safe.

FAQ: Understanding Key Terms

• Quantum Computers: Super-powerful computers that use special science (quantum physics) to solve problems much faster than regular computers. They could one day hack regular crypto, but they’re not strong enough yet.

• Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): A new type of security that uses math puzzles so tough that even quantum computers can’t crack them. It’s like an unbreakable lock for your crypto.

• NIST: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a U.S. government group that sets rules for secure technology. In 2024, NIST created new PQC standards to keep crypto safe from quantum hacks.

• XMSS: A special security lock (called eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme) used by QRL to protect your money from quantum computers. It’s like a super-strong password.

• Falcon: Another security lock (a type of digital signature) used by Algorand to keep its blockchain safe. It’s designed to stop quantum hacks.

• Digital Wallet: A phone app or device (like a USB) that stores your crypto securely, like a digital piggy bank. You need a private key (a secret code) to open it. Never share this private key with anyone.

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): A security step where you use combinations of two things. So a combination of a password and a code sent to your phone to prove it’s you when accessing your account.

ASTANA – The National Bank of Kazakhstan is preparing a comprehensive legislative framework to regulate the circulation of digital assets, following the withdrawal of approximately $15 billion in crypto assets from the country due to insufficient regulatory oversight. This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the National Bank Berik Sholpankulov during a May 22 press briefing.

Sholpankulov noted that the absence of a well-structured legal and administrative environment had led to significant capital outflows, undermining the safety and transparency of citizens’ digital asset transactions. In response, the National Bank, in collaboration with relevant state bodies, has developed legislative amendments to strengthen oversight and introduce criminal and administrative liability for the illegal movement of funds, reported Kazinform.

The proposed regulatory framework comprises two main components. The first defines the legal status and procedures for issuing and using digital financial assets. The second introduces a licensing regime for service providers involved in the exchange of unsecured cryptocurrencies. In parallel, a regulatory sandbox is being established to allow market participants to pilot innovative services and technologies in a controlled environment.

In response to a proposal to establish a digital reserve under the National Bank for confiscated crypto assets, Sholpankulov clarified that crypto assets are treated as property in accordance with legal provisions. As such, any confiscated assets are subject to existing procedures managed by the Ministry of Finance and its State Property Committee, which is responsible for their valuation, sale, and allocation to the state budget. He concluded that there is no justification for the creation of a separate digital reserve under the National Bank.