This year, France has documented 77 incidents involving kidnapping, unlawful detention, extortion, or attempted crimes associated with the cryptocurrency sector, as noted by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
Summary
- France has recorded 77 cases of kidnapping and extortion linked to cryptocurrency this year, a rise from 45 cases in 2025.
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that approximately 200 individuals have been arrested following incidents or during preventive operations.
- The French government is enhancing intelligence sharing, establishing expert networks, and fostering cross-border cooperation to protect participants in the digital asset sector.
This increase from the 45 incidents counted in 2025 comes as authorities ramp up efforts to ensure the safety of individuals involved in the digital asset industry.
France Enhances Crypto Security Initiatives
Nuñez disclosed these figures during a June 30 address to the Association for the Development of Digital Assets, as reported by BFM Business. He assured industry stakeholders, “These are serious issues, and your concerns are justified,” while claiming that the emergency measures implemented over the past year are beginning to show effectiveness.
The minister mentioned that around 200 people had been detained either after attacks or during prevention efforts. He cited a recent event in the Somme region, where suspects were apprehended eight hours post-incident. Additionally, he indicated that 724 participants in the sector have signed up on immediate identification platforms, reflecting an 11% rise.
New Strategies Focus on Intelligence and Coordination
The new strategy will focus on three main areas. Nuñez explained that the first area is enhancing intelligence sharing, especially as some alleged criminals operate outside of France. He stressed the importance of “intelligence sharing, which is critical and highly effective,” adding that authorities require deeper insights into groups orchestrating these attacks.
Secondly, there will be a strengthened collaboration with Adan, aimed at creating a network of experts consisting of industry participants and government representatives. The third area of focus will be improved operational coordination among agencies and cooperation with countries where the alleged sponsors are based.
Incidents Targeting Executives and Their Families
France has seen several violent incidents tied to cryptocurrency in recent years. As reported by crypto.news, Ledger co-founder David Balland was released after being kidnapped in January 2025, with abductors demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency. Reports indicated that the incident involved notable violence.
Thereafter, this troubling trend extended to the relatives of individuals in the crypto sector. In June 2025, French prosecutors brought charges against 25 individuals connected to attempted kidnappings targeting crypto figures and their families. The suspects, aged between 16 and 23, were linked to various schemes involving stolen vehicles, fake courier operations, and social media recruitment.
Continued Arrests as Authorities Target Organizers
The official response has involved raids, preventive inspections, and international police cooperation. Crypto.news reported that Moroccan authorities detained Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou in Tangier in June 2025. French prosecutors believe he played a significant role in multiple abduction schemes, including the case involving Balland.
Nuñez noted that the spate of attacks abruptly stopped following the arrest in Morocco. While details of the new strategy remain confidential, he described it as “more ambitious” than previous initiatives. The ministry aims to implement faster alerts, wider intelligence efforts, and closer collaboration with stakeholders in the crypto industry.
Recent statistics illustrate that French authorities are still grappling with a broader security issue closely tied to the visible wealth inherent in the crypto sector. Additional reports from crypto.news revealed that a French influencer was released when kidnappers discovered his wallet was empty, underscoring how social media activity can draw criminal attention. French officials are now tackling this issue as both an organized crime challenge and a security concern for the sector.
