TLDR

  • Daughter and grandson of Paymium co-founder narrowly escaped armed kidnapping attempt in Paris

  • This marks at least the sixth crypto-linked attack in France this year

  • Three attackers fled after the woman disarmed one assailant and bystanders intervened

  • France has seen multiple crypto-related kidnappings, including cases where victims’ fingers were severed

  • Global tracker shows 22 physical crypto-related attacks already in 2025, compared to 32 for all of 2024

The daughter and grandson of a cryptocurrency exchange co-founder narrowly escaped an armed kidnapping attempt in Paris on Tuesday, marking the latest in a growing series of violent attacks targeting people in the crypto industry or their families.

The incident occurred in the 11th district of Paris around 8:20 AM when three masked men jumped out of a van and tried to force the woman and her child into the vehicle. The woman’s partner was beaten when he tried to intervene.

In a brave act of resistance, the woman managed to grab one of the attackers’ guns and throw it away. The weapon was later identified as a replica air gun. The commotion attracted bystanders who rushed to help, causing the attackers to flee.

All three victims sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Police later found the abandoned van nearby.

The victims are the daughter and grandson of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchange platforms in France.

Rising Trend of Physical Attacks

This attempted kidnapping is part of an alarming trend of physical attacks targeting individuals connected to the cryptocurrency industry.

A public tracker maintained by Casa CTO Jameson Lopp has already recorded 22 physical crypto-related attacks globally in 2025. This figure is on pace to exceed the 32 cases documented for all of 2024 and the 24 incidents logged in 2023.

France alone has experienced at least six such incidents this year. In January, Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner were abducted in central France. Reports indicate Balland had a finger severed as kidnappers demanded cryptocurrency as ransom. Nine suspects have since been arrested, including the alleged mastermind.

Earlier this month, French police rescued the father of a crypto millionaire who had been kidnapped while walking his dog in Paris. The victim also lost a finger during the ordeal. Seven people were arrested following a raid to free the man.

On New Year’s Eve last year, another case involved the father of a crypto influencer being held hostage in Saint-Genis-Pouilly as part of a ransom attempt.

Global Problem

The problem extends beyond France’s borders. In March, Chinese-Filipino steel magnate Anson Que was killed after kidnappers demanded $20 million in cryptocurrency. Authorities had already provided $3.5 million before his death. An investigation is currently ongoing.

In Hong Kong, a Turkish man was ambushed during a high-value crypto deal, adding to several examples of cash-for-crypto trades that have gone wrong.

Brazil reported an incident where a Spanish businessman was drugged and abducted by criminals posing as law enforcement. They demanded $50 million in cryptocurrency and held him for five days before he managed to escape.

The French police brigade that tackles armed robbery is expected to investigate Tuesday’s attack in Paris. The street where the attack took place was relatively busy at the time, with children heading to a nearby primary school.

The attempted kidnapping comes as France struggles with a rise in organized crime. Last May, gunmen freed a jailed drug boss by ambushing his prison van, killing two guards in the process.

Global financial watchdogs have long warned about cryptocurrency’s potential role in crime. The Financial Action Task Force has cautioned that crypto assets “risk becoming a safe haven for the financial transactions of criminals and terrorists.”

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