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A terrifying moment unfolded on a busy street in Paris this week, as an armed gang tried to kidnap the daughter and grandson of a well-known French crypto executive.
The attempted abduction, which took place in the 11th district in broad daylight, has sparked fresh concerns about the rising trend of violent crime linked to cryptocurrency wealth.
Paris kidnapping thwarted: crypto CEO’s daughter fights off attackers in broad daylight
It could’ve been a nightmare come true. On Tuesday, four masked men jumped out of a van and attacked a couple walking with their child. Their target? The woman and her young son. The attackers tried to force them into their vehicle, but things didn’t go as planned.
The woman’s partner tried to fend them off and was assaulted. But she didn’t freeze—instead, she grabbed one of the attacker’s guns and flung it away. Her screams brought the attention of nearby pedestrians, and the kidnappers bolted, leaving the van behind.
All three victims suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital. According to police, the woman is the daughter of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a French cryptocurrency exchange.
France sees surge in crypto crime as high-profile attacks multiply
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. Earlier this year, in a headline-grabbing incident, David Balland—a co-founder of Ledger, a major crypto firm—was kidnapped along with his partner. That case turned particularly grim: Balland’s kidnappers cut off his finger to demand a cryptocurrency ransom. Nine people have since been arrested in connection with the crime.
And it didn’t stop there. In May, another gang kidnapped a man in an attempt to extort his crypto-millionaire relative. That operation ended in a police raid and seven arrests.
Authorities now believe these aren’t just random attacks but part of a disturbing pattern: organised criminals targeting people with visible links to the crypto industry.
Rising crypto wealth in France sparks surge in criminal attacks
Cryptocurrencies may be digital, but the danger surrounding them is very real. With fortunes stored on phones or online wallets, and transactions happening beyond traditional banking systems, criminals see crypto holders as soft targets.
This latest attack comes at a time when France is already struggling with a surge in organised crime. Just last year, heavily armed gunmen attacked a prison van to free a convicted drug trafficker known as “The Fly”, killing two prison guards in the ambush. The fugitive was later caught in Romania and extradited.
As these dramatic cases stack up, concerns are growing that crypto assets, while revolutionary, also open the door to a new wave of violent crime.
Groups like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have warned for years that cryptocurrencies can become a playground for money laundering and illicit finance. According to FATF, crypto assets are at risk of becoming a “safe haven” for criminal transactions, especially when regulations are weak.
Tuesday’s incident is yet another reminder that the crypto world isn’t just about innovation and investment—it’s also about real people, real risk, and now, real danger.
Crypto security warning: Why digital wealth needs real-world protection
With crypto fortunes rising and criminals growing more daring, experts say it’s time for a reality check. From stronger digital protections to real-world safety planning, people with significant crypto holdings may need to think differently about security.
And for law enforcement and regulators, the message is just as clear: as the crypto industry expands, the need for oversight, protection and rapid response is more urgent than ever.
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