Crypto Executives Boost Security Amid Global Kidnapping Surge

Crypto industry executives are enhancing their personal security measures and increasing the demand for bodyguard services in response to a recent surge in kidnapping and ransom attempts worldwide, with a particular focus on France. This trend has led to a heightened sense of vulnerability within the crypto community, prompting executives to take extraordinary steps to protect themselves and their families.

Infinite Risks International, a private security firm based in Amsterdam, has reported an increase in inquiries for bodyguard services and a rise in long-term clients signing up for private security details. This shift underscores the growing concern among crypto professionals about their safety. French law enforcement officials have also announced enhanced security measures for crypto entrepreneurs and investors, following at least three separate kidnapping incidents in 2025. These measures include security briefings and expedited access to police lines in case of emergencies for the entrepreneurs and their families.

One of the most notable incidents occurred in January 2025, when David Balland, the co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped and held for ransom for several days before being rescued by French police. In May 2024, the father of an unnamed crypto entrepreneur was freed from a ransom attempt after French law enforcement officials raided the location in a Paris suburb where the individual was being held hostage by organized criminals. The suspects in this case severed one of the victim's fingers, bearing a disturbing similarity to other crypto-related kidnapping cases in France where the victim was mutilated by the suspects.

Shortly after, on May 13, the family of Pierre Noizat, the co-founder and CEO of a French crypto exchange, was targeted in an attempted kidnapping. Several masked assailants physically assaulted the family on the street and attempted to force Noizat's daughter and grandson into a van in broad daylight. The daughter and another pedestrian managed to fight off the attackers and force them into retreat, preventing the family from being abducted. The high visibility and brazenness of the crime sent shockwaves through the crypto world, leading the French interior minister to call for a meeting with industry executives to discuss the incidents and propose enhanced security measures for at-risk crypto professionals and high net worth investors.

These incidents have highlighted the risks associated with data security in the cryptocurrency sector. Executives are now more vigilant than ever, recognizing the need for enhanced security measures to protect themselves and their families. The French government's proactive approach to addressing these concerns is a positive step towards ensuring the safety of the industry. However, the debate about the balance between security and privacy in the cryptocurrency sector is far from over, and it will continue to shape the industry's future.