A disturbing wave of kidnappings and ransom attempts targeting crypto professionals has ignited serious safety concerns across the industry, with executives and investors in France and beyond now ramping up personal security measures.
According to a Bloomberg report, the heightened alert comes after multiple high-profile abduction incidents in 2025, prompting crypto entrepreneurs to seek increased protection, including private bodyguards and emergency response protocols. Infinite Risks International, a Netherlands-based security firm, told Bloomberg it has seen a sharp rise in inquiries and new long-term contracts from clients in the crypto space looking to bolster their safety.
French authorities have rolled out new protective policies for crypto entrepreneurs to counter the growing threat. These include rapid emergency access to law enforcement support and personalized safety briefings for individuals and their families. Officials advise crypto investors to avoid flaunting wealth or wearing clothing associated with digital currencies to reduce visibility to would-be attackers.
The situation’s urgency was underscored by a string of chilling incidents that shook the French crypto community. In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped and held for several days before being rescued by police. Months earlier, in May 2024, the father of a crypto entrepreneur was freed during a raid in a Paris suburb following a brutal ransom ordeal in which the victim’s finger was severed—echoing similar cases of mutilation in previous attacks.
More recently, on May 13, masked assailants targeted the family of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of French exchange Paymium. In a brazen daylight assault, attackers attempted to force Noizat’s daughter and grandson into a van. The attempted kidnapping was foiled after the daughter and a bystander fought back, driving the perpetrators away.
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
The boldness and frequency of these attacks have prompted France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, to call an urgent meeting with crypto industry leaders. The goal is to assess risk and develop more comprehensive security frameworks for professionals and investors in the volatile digital asset space.
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