France Ramps Up Security for Crypto Professionals After Spate of Attacks

Highlights:

• France has reported three violent attacks on crypto professionals this year, raising concerns.
• The Interior Ministry introduced new protection plans for executives and their families.
• Crypto professionals now get emergency access and law enforcement briefings.

After a sharp rise in attacks against crypto professionals, France stepped up security measures to protect the industry. Since 2025 began, three events related to kidnappings or attempts at abduction have affected the industry.

According to the report, authorities reported that two of the cases resulted in kidnappings, but the third one was an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap a crypto executive’s family. Attacks were carried out at various places in France and clearly aimed at famous figures working with digital assets.

For instance, the daughter and grandson of a crypto firm executive were attacked in public. They were forced by attackers to get into their vehicle, but they resisted and got away. A Ledger co-founder and his wife were taken hostage and violently attacked earlier this year. Still, another recent case was about the kidnapping of a family member of a crypto firm.

French authorities have introduced enhanced security measures for cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families after two kidnappings and one attempted abduction. Measures include priority emergency access, home security checks, and anti-crypto laundering training for law…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 16, 2025

Interior Ministry Launches Protection Measures

In response, Bruno Retailleau, leader of the Interior Ministry, organized a meeting with leading crypto professionals and law enforcement authorities. The government was in agreement about guaranteeing solid safeguards for individuals involved in crypto.

Among their first actions is setting up an emergency line just for crypto experts and their families. Law enforcement will make regular visits to their premises and inform them in person about staying safe. They hope these efforts will stop additional attacks and give families renewed confidence.

Moreover, officers will receive anti-money laundering training with regard to cryptocurrencies. The initiative helps police manage cryptocurrency crimes as well as detect unusual financial actions linked to possible attackers.

Authorities Link the Attacks to a Larger Criminal Network

Investigators believe the incidents could be part of a larger group of connected crimes. Up to now, police have captured several people alleged to be part of the attacks. The office leading the investigations is the organized crime prosecutor’s and law enforcement keeps searching for remaining group members.

French officials suspect these crimes were motivated by efforts to obtain important crypto data, such as private keys or access to wallets. In some attack reports, digital asset ransom requests were present, and in others, attackers simply tried to access and retain stored cryptocurrencies. Around 14 of the top 50 global crypto-related attacks in the last year were carried out in France, according to the data. As a result, the country suffers from some of the highest numbers of physical threats related to cryptocurrencies.

Industry Calls for Stronger Collaboration With Authorities

The French crypto sector has encouraged the new measures, but still worries about increasing risk. Stakeholders are encouraging closer communication between digital asset businesses and security forces.

Executives who took part in the government meeting expressed worries that more measures are needed to stop these targeted attacks. However, they pointed out that the new steps are a response to how much more authorities now understand about the risks confronting crypto professionals.

Police also reminded the public not to discuss their financial activities publicly on social media. Research shows that in numerous past attacks, attackers watched their victims’ online actions and crypto conferences.