A terrifying attempted kidnapping in Paris has brought into sharp focus the escalating dangers faced by individuals connected to the cryptocurrency world. The daughter and young grandchild of a prominent French crypto magnate narrowly escaped abduction in a brazen daylight attack, highlighting a concerning trend of criminals targeting the wealth associated with digital assets.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, saw three masked men attempt to force the woman and her two-year-old child into a van on a busy Paris street. The quick thinking and courageous intervention of the child’s father, who was with them, ultimately thwarted the abduction, despite him being severely beaten during the struggle.
The woman is reportedly the daughter of Pierre Noizat, the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a well-known French cryptocurrency exchange platform. The attempt, partially captured on video by an onlooker, showcased the violent and desperate nature of the assailants, who fled empty-handed after the resistance.
This failed kidnapping is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern emerging in France. Just days prior, French police rescued the father of another cryptocurrency millionaire who had been abducted and held for ransom, with reports of one of his fingers being severed during captivity.
Earlier in January 2025, David Balland, co-founder of the French crypto wallet firm Ledger, and his partner were also kidnapped from their home. This series of attacks has prompted calls from within the crypto industry for increased security measures and a more robust response from authorities.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has vowed to bolster security around the country’s crypto executives and their families. Police have since made over 20 arrests in connection with various kidnapping plots targeting crypto entrepreneurs, including the one involving Noizat’s family.
These incidents underscore the significant risks associated with the immense wealth accumulated through cryptocurrency. Criminals are increasingly seeing crypto holders as lucrative targets for extortion and kidnapping, prompting authorities to adapt their strategies to combat this evolving form of crime.