France Cracks Down on Crypto-Targeting Kidnapping Networks with 25 Arrests

French authorities have charged 25 suspects, including six minors, in connection with a series of kidnapping attempts targeting prominent figures in the country’s cryptocurrency sector. The arrests underscore a troubling escalation in violent crimes aimed at crypto wealth, with victims including family members of industry executives.

The Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed 18 suspects remain in pre-trial detention, while seven others await deferred hearings or judicial supervision. Notably, the suspects’ ages—ranging from 16 to 23—reveal criminal networks recruiting youth for sophisticated operations.

A May 13 attack in Paris’s 11th arrondissement gained particular notoriety after viral footage showed masked assailants assaulting Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat’s pregnant daughter and grandson. The broad daylight incident left all three victims hospitalized with minor injuries, sparking outrage across crypto communities.