French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police recorded 77 cases of kidnapping, abduction, extortion or attempted kidnapping linked to the cryptocurrency sector since January. The figure marks a sharp increase from the 45 incidents reported in all of 2025. Speaking at an event hosted by the Association of Digital Asset Holders (Adan), Nuñez described the Interior Ministry's updated security strategy as more ambitious than previous efforts, aiming to counter violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency professionals. The rise follows a string of high-profile attacks in 2025, including the abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland, which drove widespread fear across France's cryptocurrency industry.
Interior Ministry Launches Expanded Intelligence Sharing and Expert Network
Under the updated framework, authorities plan to expand intelligence sharing to better track criminal networks, many of which operate outside France. The ministry will work with Adan to build a network of experts linking state security officials with private-sector stakeholders. Nuñez said emergency protocols introduced last year have proved effective, with authorities providing enhanced security to cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families. A total of 724 cryptocurrency professionals are now registered on the ministry's immediate identification platforms, an 11% increase from last year.
Law Enforcement Records 200 Arrests in 2026 Crypto Crime Cases
Nuñez said law enforcement arrested 200 people this year during or ahead of crypto-related attacks. He cited a June 26 incident in the Somme region of northern France, where suspects were detained eight hours after an attack began. He credited the rapid response to an emergency hotline activated by the victim. Nuñez sought to reassure industry members, stating that their concern is legitimate and describing the updated strategy as more ambitious than previous efforts.
June 2025 Morocco Arrest Ended Wave of Paris Kidnappings
The sector's vulnerability was underscored by a string of high-profile attacks that began in January 2025 and escalated through May in Paris. The wave included the abduction of David Balland, co-founder of crypto hardware wallet maker Ledger. Nuñez said those attacks stopped abruptly after the June 2025 arrest in Morocco of a Franco-Moroccan citizen suspected of orchestrating the kidnappings.
FAQ
How many crypto-related kidnapping cases did French police record since January?
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police recorded 77 cases of kidnapping, abduction, extortion or attempted kidnapping linked to the cryptocurrency sector since January. This represents a sharp increase from the 45 incidents reported in all of 2025.
What security measures did the French Interior Ministry implement for cryptocurrency professionals?
The Interior Ministry expanded intelligence sharing to track criminal networks and worked with Adan to build a network of experts linking state security officials with private-sector stakeholders. Authorities provided enhanced security to cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families, with 724 cryptocurrency professionals now registered on the ministry's immediate identification platforms. Law enforcement arrested 200 people this year during or ahead of crypto-related attacks, including a June 26 incident in the Somme region where suspects were detained eight hours after an attack began using an emergency hotline.
