Daughter and Grandson of Crypto Exchange CEO Targeted in Kidnapping Attempt in Paris

The daughter and grandson of a CEO from a French cryptocurrency exchange were the targets of an attempted kidnapping that did not succeed, contributing to the rising incidents of crypto-related abductions in France.

A widely circulated video on social media captured the incident, where three masked individuals forced the woman and another person to the ground in Paris. A local shop owner intervened with a fire extinguisher, prompting the assailants to flee in two vans. The exchange in question has been identified as Paymium.

This incident follows previous successful kidnappings in France. In January, David Ballard, one of the founders of a cryptocurrency wallet company called Ledger, was kidnapped along with his wife and subsequently ransomed. In another case from May, the father of a French cryptocurrency billionaire was abducted but rescued shortly after. Four individuals were arrested in connection with that incident, and both victims endured serious injuries, one losing a finger.

Bruno Retailleau, the Interior Minister, announced plans to consult with French cryptocurrency business owners to address their safety in the wake of a rise in kidnappings targeting affluent individuals connected to the crypto sector in France. An investigation into the attempted abduction has been launched by the Paris prosecutor’s office.

In response to inquiries about the global trend of kidnappings for ransom, Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin highlighted the effectiveness of law enforcement units in holding perpetrators accountable for such crimes. He emphasized that the payments made in these situations are trackable, which should discourage such offenses.