Spanish police have uncovered a hidden cryptocurrency stash during a major crackdown on illegal manga distribution. In a raid in Almería, authorities confiscated approximately €400,000 ($467,000) in cryptocurrency and arrested three suspects associated with a large piracy network. The operation targeted what Spain's Interior Ministry described as the country's largest Spanish-language illegal manga platform, which had been operating since 2014 and attracted millions of users worldwide.
According to the Interior Ministry, the platform earned more than €4 million ($4.6 million) over a decade through online advertisements, including frequent pop-ups that generated revenue each time a user interacted. Many ads featured adult content, raising concerns as most users were underage. The investigation began in June 2025 after complaints from rights holders, leading to a full-scale operation that uncovered the site's sophisticated technical infrastructure.
During the raid, police discovered two crypto cold wallets concealed inside a wall thermometer, holding over $467,000 in digital assets. Authorities have not disclosed whether they obtained the credentials needed to access the funds. The suspect was also building a new platform to expand operations, but police prevented its launch. The case highlights the growing intersection between cryptocurrency and digital piracy, as well as law enforcement's ability to trace and confiscate hidden assets.
The crackdown has had a significant impact on the publishing industry, as piracy reduced earnings for creators, publishers, and translators, discouraging investment in new content. The closure sparked strong reactions on social media, reflecting the site's popularity over the years.
