Bitcoin exchange CEO found dead in Singapore

Autumn Radtke, chief executive of First Meta, Singapore's Bitcoin exchange, has been found dead. Image: BubbleWS

Singapore police said they were investigating the "unnatural" death of Autumn Radtke, chief executive of Singapore-based First Meta, on 26 February 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 (6 March) that Radtke was found dead at the bottom of an apartment block.

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 - as a result of a suspected theft worth nearly half a billion dollars.

The Singapore Police Force said they received a call early on 26 February requesting assistance at a public housing block on the fringe of the central business district.

Found dead

"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. 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 start-up 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 chief executive 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.

Controversy

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.

First Meta last year secured funding of Sg$588,000 (US$464,000) from Silicon Valley-based technology firm Plug and Play Tech Center.

Singapore's 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 cognisant of the risks and nature of virtual currencies," the MAS said.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge