French crypto entrepreneurs to receive extra security amid recent kidnappings: Report

Crypto entrepreneurs and their families in France will receive enhanced security measures amid a recent rise in crypto-related kidnappings in the country, Politico reported.

Accordingto the May 16 report, the measures include priority access to police emergency lines, home security assessments, and safety briefings from French law enforcement to ensure best practices are being followed.

France’s Interior Minister BrunoRetailleau introduced the security measures as part of a broader effort to counter therecent wave of attacks.

Law enforcement officers will also undergo “anti-crypto asset laundering training,” Retailleau noted.

Retailleau met with several local leaders from the crypto industry to discuss the measures following three crypto-related kidnapping incidents in recent months.

Two kidnappings and a failed attempt in France this year

The latest incident occurred on May 13, when assailantsattempted to abduct the daughterand grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of the French crypto platform Paymium. Fortunately, they managed to fend off the attack, which occurred in broad daylight.

The assailants tried to force the pair into a waiting van, but Noizat’s daughter managed to take one of the guns off an assailant and throw it away, local police said.

On May 3, Paris policefreed the fatherof a crypto entrepreneur who was held for several days in connection with a 7 million euros ($7.8 million) kidnapping plot.

Related:SEC hacker sentenced to 14 months in prison

In January, the co-founder ofcrypto hardware wallet providerLedger, David Balland, wasabducted from his home in central Franceduring the early hours of Jan. 21. He was held captive until a police operation on the night of Jan. 22 secured his release.

Retailleausaidearlier this week that he believes the incidents were likely connected.

There have been over 150 crypto-related robbery or kidnapping incidents since 2014, with 23 of those incidents occurring in 2025 alone,accordingto a GitHub database maintained by Bitcoin cypherpunk Jameson Lopp.

Loppnotedmany of these criminals typically identify future victims through social media posts, public conversations, meetups, and conferences.

He strongly advises againstpeer-to-peer trades— particularly with people you don’t trust — flaunting wealth on social media and wearing crypto-branded clothing.

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