Daughter of Crypto CEO Escapes Kidnapping Attempt in Paris

PARIS – On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a leading French cryptocurrency exchange, narrowly escaped a violent kidnapping attempt in Paris’s 11th district. The brazen attack, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has shocked the city and highlighted the growing dangers faced by cryptocurrency industry figures.

Details of the Incident

The incident unfolded around 8:20 AM local time on Rue Pache in central Paris. Three masked men, armed with what appeared to be a handgun, leapt from a white van bearing a fake logo and attempted to force the woman and her two-year-old son into the vehicle. The woman, who is five months pregnant, and her husband resisted fiercely. In a remarkable act of bravery, she seized the attacker’s handgun—later identified as an Airsoft gun—and threw it away. Her husband, attempting to protect his family, was beaten with blunt objects but continued to fight back.

The victims’ screams alerted nearby residents and passers-by. A local shop owner, identified by Reuters as Nabil, intervened by throwing a fire extinguisher at the assailants, an action that has earned him praise as a hero. The growing crowd and public response forced the attackers to abandon their plan. They fled in the van, which was later found abandoned a few streets away. The family sustained light injuries, with the woman treated for shock and her husband for facial injuries. All three were taken to a hospital for care.

Background on Pierre Noizat and Paymium

Pierre Noizat, a graduate of École Polytechnique, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry. He co-founded Paymium in 2011, a platform recognized as a pioneer in Bitcoin trading in Europe and described as the world’s oldest crypto-to-fiat exchange. While Noizat’s personal fortune is not publicly known, his early investment in Bitcoin and leadership in the crypto sector make him a high-profile target. Paymium issued a statement expressing sadness over the attack and extended support to the victims’ family, while calling for stronger protections for those in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

A Disturbing Trend

This kidnapping attempt is the third reported crypto-related incident in France this year, according to CryptoBriefing. Earlier in May 2025, a 60-year-old Frenchman, the father of a crypto-millionaire, had a finger severed by kidnappers demanding ransom. In another case, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped, with his business partner receiving a video of the severed finger alongside a €10 million cryptocurrency ransom demand. In December 2024, the father of a Dubai-based French crypto influencer was targeted in eastern France, tied up, and held for ransom.

These incidents suggest a pattern of organized criminal groups targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, likely due to their perceived wealth in digital assets. Globally, similar cases have emerged, such as a Las Vegas incident where three Florida teenagers kidnapped a crypto investor, forcing him to transfer $4 million in cryptocurrency and NFTs.

Official Response and Investigation

The Paris prosecutor’s office has assigned the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme (BRB), an anti-banditry brigade, to investigate the case. Authorities are exploring whether the motive was financially driven, given the family’s ties to the crypto industry. No arrests have been made as of May 15, 2025, and the investigation remains active. The Paris judicial police’s anti-crime unit is also involved, analyzing video footage and other evidence.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responded to the attack by announcing a meeting with cryptocurrency entrepreneurs to discuss enhanced security measures, as reported by CNN. Paymium thanked Retailleau for his commitment and urged authorities to “immediately adopt measures to reinforce the protection of collaborators of companies in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.”

Broader Implications

The attack underscores the increasing vulnerability of cryptocurrency industry leaders to violent crime. The decentralized and often anonymous nature of digital assets can make crypto holders attractive targets for extortion and kidnapping. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have warned of rising crypto-related crimes, with organized groups exploiting the wealth concentrated in the sector.

The incident has prompted calls for greater collaboration between the cryptocurrency industry and law enforcement to develop strategies for protecting high-profile figures. It also raises questions about the public visibility of crypto entrepreneurs, as their success may inadvertently expose them and their families to risk.

Community and Media Reaction

The video of the attack, filmed by an onlooker from an apartment window, has gone viral, amplifying public awareness of the incident. Local media, including BFMTV, reported on the family’s injuries and the community’s response. The bravery of Nabil, the shop owner, has been widely celebrated, with Reuters noting his quick thinking. Social media discussions have focused on both the audacity of the attack and the rising threats to the crypto community.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the personal risks faced by those in the cryptocurrency industry. The outcome of Retailleau’s meeting with crypto entrepreneurs may lead to new policies or security protocols to safeguard the sector. For now, the focus remains on supporting the affected family and preventing future attacks.

This event, while deeply unsettling, has also highlighted the resilience of the victims and the power of community intervention. The courage of the woman, her husband, and the passers-by who stepped in has prevented a potentially tragic outcome, offering a glimmer of hope amid a troubling trend.