May 22, 2025
Bitcoin and crypto have made millionaires fast, but in France, this wealth has a scary cost. Since early 2025, kidnappers have attacked crypto entrepreneurs and their families, using torture to demand big Bitcoin ransoms. Indeed, these crimes show a risky clash between digital riches and real-world violence. So, what’s behind this trend, and how can you stay safe? Let’s dive into the details, explore criminal tactics, and share tips to protect yourself.
A Wave of Terror in 2025
France now sees a spike in crypto-related kidnappings. Specifically, 2025 has brought several shocking cases that stun the nation.
May 2025: Entrepreneur’s Father Abducted
On April 29, four masked men grabbed a 60-year-old crypto firm co-owner in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. They pulled him into a van in daylight. Then, they cut off his finger and sent a video to his rich son, demanding €5-7 million in Bitcoin. Luckily, police saved him on May 3 in Essonne and arrested five suspects aged 20-27. No ransom was paid, yet the trauma stays.
January 2025: Ledger Co-Founder Hit
On January 21, criminals took David Balland, co-founder of Ledger (a $1 billion crypto wallet firm), and his partner from their Méreau home. The attackers cut off Balland’s finger and demanded €10 million in crypto from his partner, Eric Larchevêque. Soon, police freed them, finding Balland’s partner tied in a car trunk. Authorities nabbed nine suspects, including a 26-year-old with a kidnapping record. Although a partial ransom was paid, police got it back.
May 2025: Paymium CEO’s Family Attacked
On May 13, four men tried to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of Bitcoin exchange Paymium, in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. However, the daylight attack failed when victims fought back, and a bystander used a fire extinguisher. The attackers fled, leaving a fake gun. No arrests yet, but this case shows the rising danger to crypto families.
December 2024: Influencer’s Father Taken
Last December, kidnappers in eastern France seized a 56-year-old man, father of a Dubai-based crypto influencer. They tied up his wife and daughter, then beat him and doused him in gasoline. Police found him in a car trunk near Le Mans within 24 hours. The criminals targeted the influencer’s flashy wealth, but police acted fast.
How Kidnappers Operate
These crimes follow a grim pattern, mixing cruelty with sloppy execution.
Torture for Ransom
Kidnappers often cut off fingers and send videos to families, pushing them to pay. For example, this tactic forces crypto-wealthy relatives to act quickly under emotional strain.
Targeting Loved Ones
Criminals avoid millionaires and kidnap relatives—parents, spouses, or kids. Notably, Noizat’s daughter and Balland’s partner faced direct threats, increasing pressure.
Bold Daylight Hits
Many abductions occur in public. Masked attackers use vans, relying on speed and shock. Consequently, these moves catch victims unprepared.
Bitcoin Demands
Criminals demand €5-17.5 million in Bitcoin, thinking it’s hard to trace. Unlike bank accounts, crypto wallets seem easy to drain under threat.
Mixed Skill Levels
Masterminds plan well, but hired thugs—often young—mess up. For instance, some leave phone signals or fail to grab ransoms, helping police.
Why Crypto Wealth Draws Crime
Bitcoin’s value has soared (mining one BTC costs $137,000 in the U.S.), creating rich targets. Yet, crypto millionaires face unique risks.
High Visibility
Entrepreneurs like Balland and Noizat are public figures. Likewise, influencers posting profits or luxury lifestyles attract criminals. Even tiny social media clues can signal wealth.
Liquid Wealth Myth
Criminals believe crypto wallets are easy to access, unlike banks. They think victims can send millions instantly when threatened.
Privacy Weaknesses
Investors often share too much online or at events. While hardware wallets secure funds, they don’t stop physical attacks.
Unregulated Assets
Unlike banks, crypto platforms can’t freeze transfers. Thus, forced transactions are final, leaving victims helpless.
The Bigger Picture
These abductions reveal a hard truth: crypto’s freedom comes with risks no blockchain can solve. Criminals exploit Bitcoin’s anonymity, turning wealth into danger. Moreover, the crypto industry must teach users about personal safety, not just digital security.
French authorities are responding. On May 16, 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau met crypto entrepreneurs, offering police priority, home security checks, and anti-laundering training. Retailleau suspects organized crime ties, though some attacks seem random.
How to Stay Safe
Crypto investors can act to cut risks. Here are five steps:
Stay Under the Radar
Don’t share wealth online. Even small crypto gain posts can draw criminals. Instead, keep a low profile.
Guard Personal Info
Use pseudonyms and hide crypto ties. Also, protect family details to avoid indirect attacks.
Strengthen Security
Install home alarms, learn self-defense, or hire guards for high-profile roles. These steps deter criminals.
Partner with Police
In France, request police briefings or priority support. Building ties speeds up help.
Lock Down Crypto
Use multi-signature wallets or time-locked transfers. Additionally, store keys offline to block forced transactions.
A Wake-Up Call
France’s crypto abductions prove digital wealth brings real-world dangers. As cryptocurrencies reshape finance, they also fuel crime. For Bitcoin millionaires, freedom now requires caution, as their wealth endangers loved ones.
The crypto world must balance decentralization with safety. Until then, Bitcoin’s promise carries a warning: wealth can be a dream or a nightmare.
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