Young Suspects Charged in Wave of Kidnap Attempts Targeting Crypto Executives
French authorities have charged 25 individuals, mostly youths aged between 16 and 23, in connection with a series of violent kidnappings and attempted abductions targeting prominent figures in the cryptocurrency sector.
Among those charged are six minors.
Eighteen of the suspects are currently in pre-trial detention, while others face varying judicial restrictions.
What Happened During the Most Serious Kidnap Attempt in Paris?
One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 13 May in Paris’s 11th arrondissement.
Four armed men attempted to abduct the daughter, husband, and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of crypto exchange Paymium, in broad daylight.
The attackers intended to extract sensitive information from the family.
The attempt was thwarted when bystanders intervened, forcing the men to flee.
The victims suffered only minor injuries and were treated in hospital.
This attack followed another failed attempt on the same family the day before.
How Are These Attacks Connected Across France?
The investigation links this Paris attack to a similar kidnapping attempt in Nantes, where members of the same family were targeted.
Police arrested over 20 suspects involved in these coordinated plots.
The accused come from diverse backgrounds, with many born in the Paris region, but some hail from Senegal, Angola, Russia, and Châtellerault.
Defence lawyers suggest that some youths became involved after being lured by financial gain and quickly found themselves overwhelmed.
Are These Isolated Incidents or Part of a Larger Trend?
These kidnappings are part of a broader rise in attacks against crypto business leaders and their families throughout France in 2025.
Earlier in the year, the co-founder of Ledger, David Balland, and his partner were kidnapped, and other high-profile crypto-related abductions have been reported.
Authorities believe many of these cases are linked, though the masterminds behind the operations remain unidentified.
The arrested suspects largely represent lower-level operatives and logistics support rather than the chief organisers.
What Is the Government Doing to Protect Crypto Industry Figures?
The surge in threats has prompted French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to meet with cryptocurrency industry leaders to discuss safety measures.
He emphasised the need for joint action, saying,
“We must jointly take measures to protect [crypto business people]. But we will also find the perpetrators wherever they may be, perhaps even abroad.”
Plans include closer collaboration between law enforcement and the crypto sector, with increased security checks at the homes of individuals involved in the industry.
Why Are Crypto Figures Becoming Targets for Kidnap and Violence?
As digital assets rise in value, criminals see an opportunity for quick profit by targeting those connected to the sector.
The kidnappings and attacks underline the real risks facing people working in crypto.
Since 2019, Asia has recorded the highest number of crypto-related kidnappings with 62 cases, followed by Europe with 59 and North America with 48.
France alone has seen three out of six of its total cases occur in 2025, reflecting a sharp recent rise.
Victims often include crypto entrepreneurs, exchange staff, high-net-worth traders, and occasionally even their relatives or tourists believed to hold wallet credentials—part of a wider global trend that shows no signs of slowing.
The wave of crimes reveals the urgent need for better protection and stronger laws to safeguard the growing community of cryptocurrency professionals.
Alex
Miyuki
Weiliang
Kikyo
Weatherly