Spain has dismantled a major manga piracy platform and seized €400,000 in cryptocurrency hidden inside a wall device during a raid in Almería.
Key Takeaways
- Spanish police shut down one of the largest Spanish language manga piracy platforms operating since 2014.
- Authorities seized crypto cold wallets worth about €400,000 hidden inside a wall mounted thermometer.
- The platform generated over €4 million in advertising revenue through aggressive pop ups.
- The case highlights growing links between digital piracy and cryptocurrency usage.
What Happened?
Spanish authorities carried out a coordinated raid in Almería, arresting multiple suspects linked to a long running manga piracy operation. During the raid, officers discovered hidden crypto wallets and dismantled the infrastructure supporting the illegal platform.
🚨🇪🇸 Ten years of piracy ends as Spanish police take down one of the largest illegal manga distribution platforms.
— International Cyber Digest (@IntCyberDigest) April 22, 2026
The site pulled in over €4,000,000 from pop-up advertising.
Police also seized two USB drives hidden inside a wall thermometer, holding cold wallets worth over… pic.twitter.com/FZlhSSfEtU
A Decade Long Piracy Operation Comes to an End
Spain’s National Police have shut down what they described as the largest Spanish language manga piracy site, active since 2014. The platform provided free access to copyrighted manga content and attracted millions of users worldwide.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation began in June 2025 after complaints from intellectual property rights holders. Over time, the platform became a major hub for unauthorized manga distribution, causing significant losses to publishers, translators, and the broader cultural industry.
Police noted that the website established itself as a primary destination for Spanish speaking manga readers, gaining massive global reach and consistent traffic over the years.
Millions Earned Through Aggressive Advertising
Investigators revealed that the platform generated more than €4 million in revenue over the past decade. Most of this income came from aggressive advertising strategies, including repeated pop ups displayed during user activity.
- Ads appeared during browsing, reading, and navigation.
- A large portion of the ads were pornographic in nature.
- Authorities raised concerns about exposure to minors visiting the site.
This approach allowed the operators to maximize impressions and revenue while continuing to offer free access to pirated content.
Hidden Crypto Wallets Discovered
One of the most striking findings during the raid was the discovery of cryptocurrency stored in cold wallets. Officers found two USB devices concealed inside a wall mounted thermometer, containing approximately €400,000 in digital assets.
Because these wallets were stored offline, they could not be accessed remotely or frozen through exchanges. Authorities have not confirmed whether they successfully obtained the private keys required to access the funds.
This case shows how individuals involved in digital piracy are increasingly turning to crypto to store and hide earnings.
Complex Setup and Expansion Plans
During the search operation, police uncovered a complex technological setup used to maintain the platform’s operations. This included systems designed to handle traffic, host content, and manage advertising flows.
Investigators also revealed that the main suspect was working on launching a second website. This backup platform was intended to keep the operation running in case the original site was taken offline. The raid prevented this expansion.
Multiple suspects were arrested during the operation and handed over to judicial authorities. They may face charges related to intellectual property violations, with possible additional charges linked to financial activities.
Crypto Seizures Highlight New Challenges
The case reflects a broader trend where cryptocurrency is becoming part of investigations beyond traditional crypto related crimes. Law enforcement agencies are now dealing with challenges related to custody, access, and management of seized digital assets.
Recent incidents in South Korea highlight these risks. Authorities reported missing Bitcoin from police custody and cases where funds were transferred after seizure due to security lapses. These developments show that seizing crypto is only part of the challenge, while securing it remains equally critical.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, this case clearly shows how piracy has evolved into a more sophisticated and financially structured operation. What stands out to me is the use of hidden crypto wallets, which signals a shift toward more calculated attempts to protect illegal earnings.
I found it particularly interesting that even non crypto crimes are now deeply connected with blockchain based assets. This trend is only going to grow, and law enforcement will need stronger systems not just to seize funds but to manage and secure them properly.
