Crypto Executives Boost Security Amid Kidnapping Surge in France

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 urgency among investors and professionals in the sector to protect themselves and their families.

Infinite Risks International, a private security firm based in Amsterdam, has reported a significant 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 within the crypto community about personal safety.

In response to at least three separate kidnapping incidents in 2025, French law enforcement officials have implemented enhanced security measures for crypto entrepreneurs and investors. These measures include security briefings and expedited access to police lines in case of emergencies for the entrepreneurs and their families. Additionally, crypto investors are advised not to advertise their wealth or wear crypto-branded clothing to reduce the risk of becoming targets.

The recent string of incidents highlights the need for proactive safety measures and vigilance for crypto investors and industry professionals. The disturbing nature of these events has prompted a call to action within the industry to prioritize personal security.

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. This event sent shockwaves through the crypto community, emphasizing the real and present danger faced by industry leaders.

In May 2024, the father of an unnamed crypto entrepreneur was freed from a ransom attempt after 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, a chilling similarity to other crypto-related kidnapping cases in France where victims were 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 this 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. This meeting underscores the seriousness with which the government is treating these threats and the need for a coordinated response from both law enforcement and the crypto industry.