French Authorities Arrest 25 in Crypto Kidnapping Spree
French authorities have arrested 25 individuals, including six minors, in connection with a series of kidnapping attempts targeting prominent figures in the country's cryptocurrency sector. The arrests, which took place throughout 2025, mark the culmination of a concerning pattern of crypto-related abductions.
The year began with the high-profile abduction of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his partner in late January. This was followed by an attempted kidnapping in Paris's 11th arrondissement on May 12, targeting the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of Paymium. The following day, the same family was targeted again, but this time the attack was successful. Authorities believe these incidents are part of a larger trend of criminals specifically targeting crypto wealth through violent family abductions.
The suspects range in age from 16 to 23, indicating the recruitment of very young criminals for sophisticated criminal operations. The suspected perpetrators of these crypto-focused kidnapping cases are seven individuals arrested in connection with the abduction of a Swiss national. Their specific nationalities or countries of origin have not been publicly detailed. The incidents appear to involve organized criminal groups demanding cryptocurrency ransoms. Authorities also disrupted a separate kidnapping plot near Nantes on Monday, arresting more than 20 additional suspects.
The frequency and boldness of these attacks prompted Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to convene meetings with cryptocurrency industry professionals to develop joint protective measures. With 18 suspects in pre-trial detention and the remaining seven either requesting deferred hearings or placed under judicial supervision, authorities are working to dismantle these criminal networks and prevent further attacks on the crypto sector.
