#btc V In Europe, there are increasing cases where cryptocurrency holders become targets of physical attacks. Just in France, there were three attempted kidnappings of individuals associated with Bitcoin and other digital assets within a few weeks. The risk is also perceived by Czech crypto investors and entrepreneurs.

On Tuesday, the perpetrators attempted to kidnap the daughter of Paymium cryptocurrency exchange CEO Pierre Noizat in broad daylight in Paris. However, she managed to escape. Most likely, she would have been taken away in a van to a remote location, subjected to physical abuse, and a ransom requested in the form of cryptocurrency. The recent similar criminal operations targeting crypto entrepreneurs did not deter the attackers, even though they ended unsuccessfully from the attackers' perspective.

In January, the co-founder of Ledger, David Ballanda, and his wife were kidnapped from their home, but the police managed to rescue the hostages, and the kidnappers would not have been able to enjoy the ransom for long. They demanded a ransom amounting to nearly a quarter billion Czech crowns, paid in the cryptocurrency tether, which mirrors the value of the dollar. However, the issuer of this digital currency blocked the transaction, leaving the ransom inaccessible to the kidnappers. Although everything ultimately turned out well for Ballanda and his family, the perpetrators cut off a piece of his finger during the kidnapping.