An attempted abduction in broad daylight has raised fresh alarms over the personal safety of high-profile crypto figures, following a violent encounter involving the family of a French crypto executive.
On Tuesday, four masked assailants attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of the CEO of Paymium, one of France’s oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, near the 11th arrondissement of Paris. According to police sources cited by France 24 and AFP, the attackers leapt from a van and tried to force the victims into the vehicle.
The situation escalated when the woman’s partner intervened and was physically assaulted. In a dramatic turn, the woman reportedly managed to disarm one of the assailants and discard the weapon, causing panic and drawing attention from passersby.
The attackers fled the scene shortly after, abandoning the van nearby. All three victims sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Paris police have confirmed the victims’ identities and launched a formal investigation.
Crypto-Linked Kidnappings Put Industry on Edge
The recent attempted abduction in Paris underscores a disturbing rise in violent crimes targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency space, with criminals increasingly demanding ransom in digital assets—even from victims without direct crypto involvement.
According to a public database maintained by Casa CTO Jameson Lopp, there have been 22 reported physical attacks related to cryptocurrencies so far in 2025. These incidents span jurisdictions including France, Spain, and Hong Kong. The current figure is rapidly approaching last year’s total of 32 cases and already surpasses the 24 recorded in 2023.
France has emerged as a hotspot for such crimes, with at least six cases documented this year alone. In one high-profile incident in January, David Balland, co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped alongside his partner. Balland’s finger was reportedly severed during the ordeal as captors demanded a crypto ransom. Authorities later arrested nine individuals, including the suspected mastermind.
Earlier this month, French police arrested seven people following another brutal abduction. In that case, a man was held hostage and mutilated in an attempt to extort crypto funds from his affluent son.
These attacks reflect a growing trend where physical violence is used to gain access to digital wealth, highlighting the risks faced by crypto insiders and their families. Experts warn that as crypto adoption grows, so too does the need for robust physical security and discretion among high-net-worth individuals in the space.
Crypto Ransom Crimes Spread Across the Globe
The rising threat of crypto-related violence is not limited to Europe—attacks are emerging worldwide, often with deadly consequences and multi-million dollar ransom demands.
In March, Chinese-Filipino industrialist Anson Que was killed in a high-profile kidnapping after captors demanded $20 million in cryptocurrency. Despite authorities managing to deliver $3.5 million, Que was found dead. The case remains under active investigation.
Similar patterns are surfacing across Asia and South America. In Hong Kong, a Turkish national fell victim to a violent ambush during a multimillion-euro cryptocurrency deal—one of several recent incidents where in-person cash-for-crypto transactions turned into criminal traps.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, a Spanish businessman was abducted by individuals posing as police officers. He was drugged and held hostage for five days as kidnappers demanded $50 million in crypto. The victim eventually escaped and alerted authorities.
Quick Facts
- Four masked men attempted to kidnap the Paymium CEO’s family in Paris.
- The victim’s partner was assaulted, but all survived with minor injuries.
- France has recorded six crypto-linked abductions so far in 2025.
- Global crypto ransom crimes are rising, with fatal outcomes reported.
