France ramps up efforts to tackle rising crypto kidnappings after failed attempt goes viral

France is deploying new security measures to protect crypto entrepreneurs after a rash of violent kidnapping attempts raised alarm across the country’s tech sector and ignited political pressure on Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, AP News reported on May 16.

The ministry confirmed that Retailleau met privately with crypto founders to discuss personal safety.

According to the report, the meeting was described as “strictly confidential,” and journalists were asked not to film participants “for reasons of security.”

The government is now offering affected individuals priority emergency support, elite police consultations, and assessments of home security infrastructure.

Retailleau, who is positioning himself as a tough-on-crime candidate for 2027’s presidential race, said in a statement that he is determined to stop these “unbearable” attacks.

Escalating threats

Crypto-linked ransom kidnappings and crime in France have grown more frequent over the past year, with several cases happening in recent months.

According to Eric Larchevêque, co-founder of Ledger, there were 50 known attacks globally targeting individuals in the crypto industry in the past 12 months, 14 of which occurred in France.

Larchevêque, who attended Friday’s meeting, told broadcaster RTL that he felt French authorities “have understood what’s at stake” following the discussions.

The concerns follow a high-profile case in January, when an associate of Larchevêque and his wife were kidnapped for ransom.

More recently, police intervened in a separate case where a hostage, related to a crypto entrepreneur, had a finger severed before officers raided the site. Seven suspects were arrested in that case.

Failed abduction captured on video

The latest incident, captured on video on May 14, involved masked men attempting to shove the daughter of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat into a van in broad daylight.

The footage showed the woman and her husband struggling with the attackers on the pavement as bystanders shouted for help. A local shopkeeper eventually forced the suspects to flee by throwing a fire extinguisher at their vehicle.

Noizat told reporters that his son-in-law required stitches following the attack and accused judges and politicians of a “lack of action.” He warned that these crimes would increase if the government did not make serious efforts to stop them.

The Interior Ministry’s heightened response is aimed at stemming fears that violent crime could derail France’s digital finance ambitions, which have been a centerpiece of President Emmanuel Macron’s economic strategy.

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