Introduction
In a chilling reminder of rising security threats to high-profile crypto figures, a violent kidnap attempt unfolded on the streets of Paris, targeting the daughter and grandson of a well-known cryptocurrency boss. The shocking incident occurred in the bustling Rue Pache area of Paris’s 11th district and was caught on camera, sending waves through the French crypto and security communities.
The Attack: What Happened?
At around 08:20 AM local time, three masked men leapt from a white van and attempted to abduct the woman and her young child. Eyewitness video footage captured the chaos as the attackers struggled to drag the woman toward the van. Her husband, present at the scene, fought fiercely to protect his family and suffered repeated blows to the head.
The attackers reportedly used a replica firearm during the attempt, which the woman heroically grabbed and hurled into the street. Bystanders initially hesitated but soon intervened, forcing the gang to flee. One brave citizen even threw a fire extinguisher at the van as it sped away.
Victims Linked to French Crypto Firm
Police sources and French media confirmed that the targeted individuals are close relatives of the co-founder of Paymium, a prominent French Bitcoin exchange platform. The attack fits a disturbing pattern of crypto-related crimes emerging in France and globally.
Rising Trend: Crypto Families Being Targeted
This attempted kidnapping follows a string of similar incidents involving cryptocurrency figures in France:
- Earlier this month, the father of a crypto millionaire was abducted while walking his dog and held for ransom. He was released after kidnappers cut off one of his fingers.
- In January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the Ledger crypto wallet, was abducted with his wife. He too had a finger severed before being rescued.
These alarming cases underline the growing vulnerability of crypto professionals and their families to violent crime. With digital wealth comes very real physical danger.
Security and Law Enforcement Response
Paris police’s armed robbery unit is now investigating the Rue Pache incident. Given the attackers’ tactics, investigators believe the crime was meticulously planned and financially motivated. Authorities have not yet made any arrests but are reviewing surveillance footage and social media videos.
Calls for Better Protection
As cryptocurrencies grow in value and adoption, security concerns have surged for crypto executives and their loved ones. Many industry leaders are now calling for tighter personal security protocols, including armored transport, digital location masking, and family safety training.
Conclusion
The attempted kidnapping of a crypto boss’s daughter in Paris has spotlighted a dangerous new frontier of digital wealth—real-world violence. With incidents becoming increasingly brazen, crypto families must reevaluate their safety measures. The Rue Pache attack may have ended without loss of life, but it sends a strong message: crypto crimes are evolving, and so must our response.
Read more on how authorities are addressing these concerns in our post on Trump’s crypto task force and RWA tokenisation.
For breaking updates on global crypto security, stay tuned.