Several cryptocurrency entrepreneurs have faced attempted kidnappings in France recently
French police have arrested and charged 25 people, including six minors, after a series of kidnappings and attempted abductions that targeted individuals linked to the cryptocurrency industry. The group, aged 16 to 23, is being investigated for planning and carrying out attacks on well-known crypto figures and their families, according to an announcement from the Paris prosecutor’s office on May 31.
Eighteen suspects are currently in pre-trial detention, while three await delayed hearings and four are under judicial supervision. Authorities say the most serious incident took place on May 13 in Paris’ 11th arrondissement, where four masked individuals attacked the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium. The victims suffered minor injuries. Another attempt had been made the day before, and yet another was stopped days later near Nantes.
En plein Paris, un homme a été violenté par des individus cagoulés, habillés tout en noir. Ils tentaient de l'enlever. Un homme a surgi, extincteur à la main, pour les faire fuir. →https://t.co/P0qV6PR40v pic.twitter.com/9f4r2Gi7ho
— Le Figaro (@Le_Figaro) May 13, 2025
Footage of the May 13 assault spread quickly online, drawing attention to a disturbing rise in attacks involving digital assets. Police say the arrested individuals came from a variety of regions, including Paris, Châtellerault, and even as far as Senegal, Angola, and Russia. Defense attorneys have described the accused as young people drawn into criminal activity by the promise of fast money.
So far, only lower-level participants have been identified and detained. Authorities are still trying to uncover who is behind the broader operation. The Paris incidents follow similar cases earlier in the year, including the January kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and a May 1 case involving the father of a crypto millionaire.
The rise in crypto-related crime has led to meetings between France’s interior ministry and industry representatives. Discussions have focused on prevention, including law enforcement support for home security. At the same time, some insurance companies are developing new policies that specifically address the risk of kidnapping tied to digital wealth.
