France Faces Surge in Crypto-Related Kidnappings

French police investigate a series of violent abductions targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, with ransoms demanded in digital currencies.

France has emerged as a focal point for a disturbing wave of kidnappings targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry. Since last year, the country has accounted for 7 out of 54 global crypto-related kidnappings, a disproportionate share for a nation representing just 1% of the world’s population.

The latest incident, an attempted kidnapping of a crypto CEO’s daughter and her child in Paris on May 13, 2025, underscores the growing threat to the crypto community. These crimes, often marked by extreme violence such as severing fingers, have sparked fear and prompted urgent action from French authorities.

A Series of Violent Abductions

The most recent high-profile case occurred on May 13, 2025, when a masked gang attempted to kidnap the daughter of a prominent crypto executive and her two-year-old child in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. Video footage, widely shared online, showed the woman fiercely resisting, disarming one attacker, and escaping with the help of bystanders.

🚨JUST IN: According to Le Perisien, there was an attempted kidnapping of the relatives of a crypto exchange CEO in Paris today.

This follows multiple incidents in France over the past few months. pic.twitter.com/S7tnOsYYdK

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 13, 2025

The attackers fled, but the incident highlighted the audacity of these crimes, occurring in broad daylight in the capital.

Just days earlier, on May 4, 2025, French police rescued the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire from a house in Palaiseau, south of Paris. The victim, in his 50s, had been kidnapped on May 1 and had a finger severed during captivity. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of €5 million to €7 million in cryptocurrency, according to Le Monde. Four suspects were arrested following a police raid.

In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, a cryptocurrency wallet firm valued at over $1 billion, was abducted along with his partner from their home in Méreau, central France. The couple was separated, and Balland had a finger cut off. The kidnappers sent a video of the severed finger to Balland’s business partner, demanding a €10 million ransom in cryptocurrency. French police, aided by the elite National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, freed Balland in a raid, and his partner was found tied up in a car in Essonne the next day. Ten suspects were arrested.

Modus Operandi: Targeting Families for Crypto Ransoms

These kidnappings follow a chilling pattern: criminals target family members of wealthy crypto entrepreneurs to leverage their wealth in digital assets. The use of cryptocurrency for ransoms is a key factor, as its pseudonymous nature complicates tracing transactions, making it an attractive tool for extortion. Michael Lyons, a lawyer specializing in anti-money laundering at Clifford Chance, noted, “Crypto transactions are more likely to escape the level of scrutiny applied to traditional banking systems”.

The violence employed—such as severing fingers—appears designed to instill fear and ensure compliance. An X post summarized the trend: “A couple months back: Ledger co-founder kidnapped. They cut off his finger to extort his partner.

Last week: A crypto influencer’s father abducted—same tactic. Just days ago: Attempted kidnapping of a crypto CEO’s daughter.”

Police and Government Response

French authorities have responded swiftly to these incidents. In the May 4 case, police traced the victim using phone signals, leading to a successful rescue and arrests. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has taken a proactive stance, meeting with crypto entrepreneurs on May 16, 2025, to discuss safety measures. The government has promised enhanced protections, including priority access to emergency police lines, home security assessments, and anti-crypto asset laundering training for law enforcement.

Retailleau, who may be positioning himself for a 2027 presidential run, emphasized the government’s commitment: “These repeated kidnappings of professionals in the crypto sector will be fought with specific tools, both immediate and short-term, to prevent, dissuade and hinder in order to protect the industry”. These measures aim to reassure the crypto community and maintain France’s reputation as a hub for technology and innovation.

Fear and Anger in the Crypto Community

The spate of kidnappings has left France’s crypto community shaken. Alexandre Aimonino, a crypto executive, expressed his anxiety: “After watching frightening images of a prominent French crypto boss’ daughter being attacked on a Paris street during a botched kidnapping, I find solace in the changes I have made to my daily routine”. Some, like X user @XMaximist, have relocated to safer regions, citing security concerns: “Security was the top reason that made me move my family to the UAE”.

The wave of crypto-related kidnappings highlights the vulnerabilities of wealth in the digital age. Cryptocurrency’s anonymity, while a strength for privacy, makes it a tool for criminals, as seen in these extortion schemes. The incidents could dent France’s image as a welcoming destination for tech innovation, a priority for President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.

Moreover, the targeting of family members raises ethical questions about the visibility of crypto entrepreneurs. High-profile figures in the industry may need to adopt stricter personal security measures, such as limiting public exposure or enhancing private security. The government’s response, while proactive, will need to balance immediate protections with long-term strategies to combat crypto-related crime.

France’s crypto-related kidnappings represent a dark intersection of technology and crime. The violent tactics employed by kidnappers, coupled with the use of cryptocurrency for ransoms, have created a climate of fear within the crypto community. While French police have demonstrated effectiveness in rescuing victims and apprehending suspects, the government’s enhanced security measures will be critical to restoring confidence. As the crypto industry continues to grow, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for robust safety protocols and regulatory frameworks to protect those at the forefront of digital innovation.

Key Incidents

Incident Date	Victim Description	Location	Outcome	Ransom Demand	Suspects Arrested
January 2025	David Balland, Ledger co-founder, and partner	Méreau, central France	Both rescued; Balland’s finger severed	€10 million in crypto	10
May 4, 2025	Father of crypto millionaire	Palaiseau, south of Paris	Rescued; finger severed	€5-7 million in crypto	4
May 13, 2025	Daughter and grandson of crypto CEO	Paris, 11th arrondissement	Attempt failed; victim fought back	Not specified	None reported