France has charged 25 individuals, including minors, for a string of kidnappings and attempted abductions linked to the country’s cryptocurrency sector. The suspects, aged between 16 and 23, are accused of targeting prominent figures in the industry and their families, as reported by Le Monde on May 31st, citing a statement from Paris public prosecutor’s office. Eighteen individuals remain in pre-trial detention while three have requested a deferred hearing, and four are under judicial supervision. The investigation focuses on an attempted abduction attempt in Paris’ 11th arrondissement on May 13th targeting the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French cryptocurrency exchange Paymium. This was not an isolated incident; another similar plot failed the day before. Police also foiled a related operation near Nantes. Footage from the May 13th incident, circulating widely on social media, depicts masked attackers assaulting Noizat’s family members. Victims sustained minor injuries and were treated in hospital. The suspects are believed to be diverse backgrounds, originating from various locations including Paris region, Châtellerault, Senegal, Angola, and Russia. Many have described as “young profiles lured by money and entangled in a situation beyond their control” according to defense lawyers. This case is part of a broader trend of crypto-related kidnappings in France this year, including the January abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner. Notably, the May 1 kidnapping of the father of a crypto millionaire has also been linked to this wave of attacks. While lower-level operatives and logistics coordinators have been apprehended, the masterminds behind these schemes remain unidentified. The escalating threat has prompted France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to convene with representatives from the crypto industry to discuss protective measures. The ministry also announced enhanced cooperation between law enforcement and crypto firms, including home security checks by police and gendarmerie officers. Insurance companies are now developing new kidnap and ransom (K&R) policies to cover these risks, as reported in recent media reports. Meanwhile, high-profile figures in the crypto sector have increasingly sought personal security services. The trend underscores the growing vulnerability of crypto investors and calls for robust security measures to protect them against physical threats.