Google – AFP, Martin Abbugao (AFP), 6 March 2014
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A Bitcoin
dispensing machine is seen at a shopping mall in Singapore on
March 6, 2014
(AFP, Roslan Rahman)
|
Singapore —
The 28-year-old American boss of a Bitcoin exchange has been found dead at the
base of a Singapore apartment block, police and reports said Thursday, in the
latest misfortune linked with the troubled virtual currency.
Singapore
police said they were investigating the "unnatural" death of Autumn
Radtke, chief executive of Singapore-based First Meta, on February 26, but that
no foul play was suspected.
A local
technology website first reported she may have committed suicide, but later
updated its report to say it was "unclear" how she died.
Broadcaster
Channel NewsAsia said on its website Thursday that Radtke "was found dead
at the bottom of an apartment block".
 |
Singapore's
police are investigating the
"unnatural death" of a young American
woman who headed a company dealing
in the Bitcoin virtual currency
(Getty/AFP/
File, George Frey)
|
Her death
comes as the virtual currency community is in turmoil after the collapse of
Tokyo-based MtGox, one of the longest-established Bitcoin exchanges, due to a
suspected theft worth nearly half a billion dollars.
The
Singapore Police Force said they received a call early on February 26
requesting assistance at a public housing block on the fringe of the central
business district.
"A
woman in her 20s was found lying motionless," they said in a statement.
"She
was pronounced dead at scene by paramedics. Police are investigating the
unnatural death," it added. "Preliminary investigations show that no
foul play is suspected."
The term
"unnatural death" is used to refer to suspected suicides and other
deaths not due to natural causes like an illness. The cause of death is
subsequently determined by a coroner.
A US
embassy official confirmed that Radtke is an American citizen and that it has
provided assistance to her family.
News of
Radtke's death first surfaced in the technology startup community, which has a
thriving presence in Singapore.
First Meta
confirmed her death in a statement on its website but did not give a cause.
"The
First Meta team is shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and
CEO Autumn Radtke," it said.
"Our
deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and loved ones. Autumn was an
inspiration to all of us and she will be sorely missed."
According
to her profile on business networking site LinkedIn, Radtke began her career in
enterprise cloud computing and in 2007 worked with Apple to supply the Aqua
Connect server product to major corporations including the Aerospace
Corporation.
It said she
"passed on an opportunity to work at Apple to stay in the fast-paced world
of technology start ups".
She moved
to Singapore in 2012 to head First Meta, a web-based exchange for users to buy,
sell and trade virtual currencies for real money.
Her death
comes as controversy surrounding the Bitcoin sector grows.
After the
MtGox exchange filed for bankruptcy protection last month, Canada-based
Flexcoin was also forced to shut down, saying that someone attacked its systems
and stole nearly $600,000 worth of Bitcoins.
First Meta
last year secured funding of Sg$588,000 ($464,000) from Silicon Valley-based
technology firm Plug and Play Tech Center.
Singapore
is Southeast Asia's main hub for technology startups as well as global computer
and software companies and financial institutions.
Its central
bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has cautioned that virtual
currencies are not legal tender and those who deal in them should be aware of the
risks.
"MAS
does not regulate Bitcoin, including its purchase, sale or use, whether online
or via other means such as physical vending machines," it said last week
in reaction to the MtGox collapse.
"Businesses
and individuals who choose to accept virtual currencies in exchange for goods
and services or to transact in them should be cognizant of the risks and nature
of virtual currencies."
Federal
Reserve chief Janet Yellen has said that the US central bank has no authority
to regulate Bitcoin.
"This
is a payment innovation that is taking place entirely outside of the banking
industry," she said.
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