In a chilling escalation of violence targeting the crypto elite, a masked gang attempted to abduct the daughter and grandson of a prominent cryptocurrency executive in the heart of Paris on Tuesday morning. The dramatic scene, captured on video by a bystander, unfolded in broad daylight on Rue Pache in the city's 11th district — just steps away from a local primary school.
Attempted Daylight Kidnapping Thwarted by Brave Resistance
According to French police sources, the would-be victims are relatives of the co-founder of Paymium, a French Bitcoin exchange platform. At approximately 08:20 local time, three masked men leapt out of a white van and attempted to snatch the woman and her young son.
Her husband, present during the attack, fought fiercely to protect his family, sustaining multiple blows to the head in the process. As the family screamed for help, several passers-by initially hesitated — stunned by the violent ambush — but eventually stepped in, forcing the attackers to retreat.
In a striking moment caught on camera, the woman managed to grab one of the attacker’s weapons — later identified as a replica air gun — and hurl it into the street. As the crowd grew bolder, the gang abandoned the abduction and fled the scene in their van, driven by a fourth accomplice. One local resident even hurled a fire extinguisher at the van as it sped away.
Crypto Execs in France Under Attack
The victims were treated for minor injuries in hospital, and authorities have since launched an investigation. A specialized Paris police unit focused on armed robbery is now handling the case, amid growing concerns over a pattern of kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families.
This incident marks the latest in a disturbing trend:
Just a week prior, French police rescued the father of a crypto millionaire kidnapped while walking his dog. He was held for ransom, and freed three days later after his captors amputated one of his fingers.
In January, David Balland, co-founder of crypto wallet firm Ledger, and his wife were abducted from their home in central France. Balland was also found with a missing finger, believed to be a warning or act of intimidation by the gang.
Crypto Wealth Attracting Criminal Gangs
With the increasing visibility and wealth of crypto founders and investors, French authorities are warning that digital asset holders may be at heightened risk, especially as organized criminal networks pivot toward targeting individuals in possession of large crypto holdings.
The Paris police have yet to make arrests in this latest incident, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Final Thoughts
As the crypto industry grows in legitimacy and market value, so too does the threat landscape surrounding it. This brazen attempted kidnapping in Paris underscores the need for heightened personal security among crypto leaders and their families — especially in regions where such attacks are becoming alarmingly common.
Stay alert. Stay safe. And for those in the crypto space — discretion is no longer optional, it’s essential.
