Crypto Kidnapping Spree in Paris: A Chilling Trend
Abduction Attempt on Cryptocurrency Exchange Magnate's Family in Paris Averted
Navigating the dynamics of today's crypto world isn't always as simple as trading and mining. Recently, the city of love, Paris, has become a hotspot for a chilling trend – a series of armed kidnapping attempts targeted at individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry.
Let's rewind to Tuesday, as the daughter and grandson of a Paymium co-founder narrowly escaped an armed kidnapping attempt. This brazen act is the latest in a string of cryptocurrency-related attacks in the city.
The incident unraveled in the 11th district of Paris around 8:20 AM, when three masked men jumped out of a van and attempted to force the woman and her child into their vehicle. The woman's partner tried to intervene, but suffered injuries during the scuffle. In a brave move, the woman seized one of the attacker's guns and flung it away. The ensuing commotion drew bystanders who rushed to help, prompting the attackers to flee. Thankfully, all three victims only sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
A Global Concern
Regrettably, France isn't the only nation grappling with this burgeoning problem. The world has witnessed a shocking number of physical attacks targeting crypto enthusiasts.
Jameson Lopp – Casa CTO - has tracked a staggering 22 crypto-related attacks globally in 2025, a figure that's on pace to surpass the 32 cases documented in all of 2024.
The chilling spree doesn't end there – France alone has faced six such attacks this year.
In January, Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner were kidnapped in central France. Reports suggest that Balland's kidnappers demanded cryptocurrency ransom and severed his finger to demonstrate their seriousness. Nine suspects have since been arrested, with the alleged mastermind behind bars.
In another horrifying incident in early May, the father of a crypto millionaire was kidnapped while walking his dog in Paris. The abductors severed his finger as part of their ransom demands before he was later rescued by French police. Seven people were arrested in connection with the case.
The crypto-related violence even reached our shores on New Year's Eve last year, with the father of a crypto influencer held hostage in Saint-Genis-Pouilly as part of a ransom attempt.
The Grim Reality
The situation isn't limited to France's borders. The Chinese-Filipino magnate Anson Que was brutally killed in March after kidnappers demanded $20 million in cryptocurrency. Authorities had already provided $3.5 million when he was killed, leaving an ongoing investigation in its wake.
In Hong Kong, a Turkish man was ambushed during a high-value crypto deal, while Brazil reported a case where a Spanish businessman was drugged and abducted by criminals posing as law enforcement, demanding $50 million in cryptocurrency and holding him captive for five days before he managed to escape.
The French police brigade that tackles armed robbery is scrutinizing the attempted kidnapping in Paris. The street where the attack took place was bustling at the time, with children heading to a nearby primary school.
The escalating trend of violent cryptocurrency-related attacks highlights a growing concern for the safety of those involved in the crypto industry, hinting at a deep-rooted challenge that the sector must address urgently.
The surge in cryptocurrency-related attacks extends beyond Paris, as various nations grapple with this growing problem. According to Jameson Lopp – Casa CTO, there have been 22 such attacks worldwide in 2025, on track to surpass the 32 cases documented in all of 2024.
The technology-driven world of cryptocurrency seems to have become a breeding ground for crime and justice, as incidents like the kidnapping of the daughter and grandson of a Paymium co-founder in Paris reflect. This trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures within the cryptocurrency industry.
