French crypto entrepreneurs and their families will receive added police protection following several kidnapping attempts. The France Interior Ministry introduced new measures on May 16, 2025, according to Politico.
The plan includes priority access to emergency police lines, home security checks, and safety briefings. Officers will also be trained to identify crypto-related money laundering risks.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said the government will use “specific tools, both immediate and short-term” to respond to threats against crypto professionals.
Pierre Noizat’s Family Attacked in Daylight
On May 13, armed attackers tried to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto firm Paymium. The suspects attempted to force the victims into a van in broad daylight.
Local police reported that Noizat’s daughter managed to disarm one of the attackers and throw the weapon away. The suspects then fled. No one was injured in the incident.
Authorities began investigating immediately. The case prompted a wider push to protect other crypto entrepreneurs and their relatives.
May 3 Kidnapping Tied to €7 Million Ransom
Paris police freed the father of a crypto entrepreneur who was held for several days in a ransom attempt. The suspects demanded €7 million ($7.8 million). The police operation ended on May 3.
Officials have not revealed the name of the entrepreneur involved. Meanwhile, the France Interior Ministry confirmed it is handling the case along with other incidents involving crypto figures.
At the same time, Retailleau stated that this attack and the others may share a connection. Investigations continue.
Ledger Co-Founder Kidnapped in January
David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was taken from his home on January 21. Police rescued him the next evening. He has not made any public statements since.
This case marked the first known kidnapping of a French crypto entrepreneur in 2025. It triggered early concerns over physical risks faced by professionals in the sector.
A GitHub database by Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp tracks kidnapping and robbery incidents involving crypto holders. The database records over 150 cases since 2014, with 23 reported in 2025.
Lopp stated that attackers often find targets through public social media, events, or clothing that suggests crypto involvement. He warned that online visibility can lead to real-world risks.
The France Interior Ministry now treats crypto-related threats as a serious public safety issue.
