The body of Kevin Mirshahi, a 25-year-old cryptocurrency influencer who had been missing since June, was found dead.

Mirshahi’s body was discovered in Montreal’s Île-de-la-Visitation Park, as confirmed by the Sûreté du Québec, according to the Montreal Gazette. 

A passerby came across his decomposing body, prompting an investigation that identified him through an autopsy.

The case, which marks Montreal’s 32nd homicide of 2024, has highlighted a concerning pattern of violence within the crypto community, raising questions about the safety of high-profile figures in the sector.

Timeline of Mirshahi’s disappearance and death

Mirshahi’s disappearance occurred on June 21. Early that morning, he and three others were allegedly abducted from a condo building in Old Montreal.

Montreal police were alerted after receiving a 911 call about a disturbance at a residence near de la Commune and St-Hubert Streets, according to The Gazette.

While the three other abductees were quickly located, Mirshahi remained missing, prompting police to escalate the investigation to the SQ.

During the initial investigation, police identified Joanie Lepage, a 32-year-old woman from Les Cèdres, Quebec, as a suspect, per The Gazette.

In August, she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and involvement in Mirshahi’s abduction. Authorities allege that Lepage played a role in concealing Mirshahi’s death, though investigations are ongoing to determine if other suspects may have been involved.

Mirshahi’s background in crypto 

Mirshahi was a prominent figure in Montreal’s cryptocurrency scene, primarily due to his management of a private investment firm called “Crypto Paradise Island,” per The Gazette.

His activities in the crypto space attracted public and regulatory scrutiny, particularly from Quebec’s investment authority, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers.

The AMF placed restrictions on Mirshahi in 2021, barring him and two associates from acting as investment advisers or conducting securities transactions. Two weeks after his disappearance, this ban was reinforced in July 2024, limiting his online activities and requiring him to cease promoting related content on social media.

This case isn’t the first crypto-related crime that happened in Canada this month. On Nov. 6, Toronto police investigated the kidnapping of WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka, who was abducted in downtown Toronto and released after a $1 million ransom was paid electronically.

Crypto exchange Gemini has announced its exit from the Canadian market, joining several other platforms that have left due to the country’s strict regulatory environment.

Canadian customers of the Winklevoss-founded exchange reported receiving an email urging them to withdraw their funds by Dec. 31, giving them 90 days to move their assets.

Canadian blockchain company Cypherpunk Holdings has rebranded, adopting the new name Sol Strategies as it focuses its investment strategy on Solana.

The Toronto-based firm announced on Sept. 12 that Sol Strategies reflects its decision to invest in Solana (SOL), including through staking and projects built on the blockchain network.

Cypherpunk Holdings, now Sol Strategies, launched its operations in 2018 and is publicly listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The company also trades on the OTC market.

Cypherpunk Holdings among first publicly-traded companies to hold Bitcoin

Sol Strategies is among the first publicly-traded companies to invest in Bitcoin (BTC). The bear market however saw Cypherpunk Holdings liquidate its BTC and ETH holdings.

Its business also involved venture capital and private equity investments, with these milestones achieved at a time when the crypto space had no exchange-traded funds.  

With the board of directors and shareholders approving the rebrand on July 30, 2024, the main focus will now be on the Solana ecosystem.

Leah Wald, chief executive officer of Sol Strategies, noted in a statement that the pivot will allow the company to capitalize on Solana’s growth potential.

“Transitioning to Sol Strategies signifies our strategic evolution for the Company as we focus on unlocking Solana for public markets and driving value for our shareholders.”

Leah Wald, CEO, Sol Strategies

Sol Strategies Solana holdings

Sol Strategies, formerly Cypherpunk Holdings, appointed Leah Wald as its chief executive and president in July 2024. Wald is a crypto industry veteran whose experience includes serving as the former CEO of digital asset management firm Valkyrie.

The company’s SOL holdings have increased significantly since Wald’s appointment and after the shareholder vote to rebrand. Notably, the firm held no Solana as of March 31, 2024.

By July 16, it held over 63,000 SOL in Coinbase custody, which increased to over 86,290 SOL by July 31, 2024.

According to the latest update at the end of July, Sol Strategies acquired its Solana at an average price of $143. SOL currently trades around $135, struggling for upside since dropping from above $200 in April.