Le Parisien reported on Friday another attack on the home of a digital assets industry pioneer and his family in Verneuil-sur-Seine, Yvelines, reflecting a deeply concerning trend.
Grégory Raymond, co-founder of The Big Whale, journalist specializing in the sector, and author of the book “Bitcoin & cryptomonnaies, l’enjeu du siècle”(The Stakes of a Century), stated in a post on his official X account that since the beginning of 2025, France has been experiencing a series of violent incidents targeting individuals identified for their activity in the Web3 ecosystem, thereby accounting for a disproportionate share of global crypto-related physical crime.
Alarming Statistics on Crypto-Related Physical Violence
According to the journalist Gregory Raymond, reports from industry observers are unequivocal: since January 1st, 2025, France has recorded at least 21 criminal cases of this type.
This figure becomes more striking when compared worldwide. Out of 75 physical attacks identified by specialized and general media worldwide over the same period, France accounts for 28% of global crypto-related physical violence cases.
These figures suggest that digital asset holders in France have become primary targets by organized criminal groups. Although not all incidents are systematically revealed publicly, the list of well-known cases points to a growing sense of insecurity.
France, Crypto-Linked Physical Violence: An Escalating Timeline
The modus operandi of these attacks is characterized by extreme violence, from sequestration to physical assault. For example, on the first day of 2025, the father of an influencer was kidnapped in Ain, highlighting the severity of the situation. A few weeks later, David Balland, co-founder of French unicorn “Ledger” and his wife were kidnapped and tortured in Vierzon.
This phenomenon of crypto-related physical crime spares no one:
- Entrepreneurs and executives: The families of many figures such as Pierre Noizar, founder of Paymium, have been targeted in attempted kidnappings.
- Crypto traders and investors: Many people in Troyes, Nantes, or Juvisy-sur-Orge have been held hostage by hooded assailants, seeking access to digital wallets.
- Retail investors: Recently in Verneuil-sur-Seine, in les Yvelines, entire families were tied up and assaulted in their homes.
These attacks span the entire country across the Paris region, including Suresnes, Rambouillet, Val-de-Marne, and throughout the country, including Manosque, La Rochelle, and Chalon-sur-Saône, highlighting the widespread nature of the threat across France.
Targeted Attacks on Professionals and Families
The analysis of these 21 cases shows that criminals do not target public figures only in the sector. Engineers, former retailers, or investors are now being tracked and assaulted. Pressure is also increasing on families: parents, partners, or children are used as leverage to force victims into transferring their digital assets.
Grégory Raymond emphasizes that these attacks are often carefully planned. Many cases reveal thorough preparation, including prior surveillance, with police interventions sometimes helping to prevent kidnapping in advance, including in Normandy or Nantes.
Toward Stronger Personal Security Protocols?
The rise in crypto-related violent crime indicates the need for an evolution in behavior among industry sectors. While cybersecurity measures such as private keys and cold wallets remain a priority, physical security and personal discretion are becoming critical concerns.
The integration of digital assets into everyday financial life appears to be accompanied by a shift in criminal activity, where “digital robbery” is shifting from the digital sphere to physical homes.
Increasing police interventions reflect growing awareness from authorities, but repeated attacks, such as one individual in Chalon-sur-Saône who has been targeted for the fourth time emphasize the persistence of criminal networks motivated by the high potential gains from cryptocurrencies.
Evolving Security Measures and Increased Vigilance
Rising criminal pressure is expected to elad to a transformation in security services and specialized legal support in Web3.
We can expect industry players to adopt more rigorous protection measures, ranging from home security to online anonymity.
At the same time, the development of custody solutions with transfer delay mechanisms could become standard practice reducing physical assaults, making immediate access to funds under duress impossible.
Source: Le Parisien, @gregory_raymond
