French Minister Approves Steps to Safeguard Crypto Workers Following Abductions

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened a meeting on Friday to implement new security measures aimed at safeguarding professionals within the cryptocurrency sector. This action follows several kidnapping incidents targeting key figures in the industry.

At the gathering, multiple proposals were put forward, including enhancing cooperation with local security personnel for better protection, providing security briefings from law enforcement, and offering training programs aimed at combating crypto-related money laundering. Participants included the Director General of the National Police and Gendarmerie as well as representatives from the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN) and various stakeholders in the field.

This meeting followed an incident earlier in the week involving a failed kidnapping attempt of a crypto exchange CEO’s daughter and grandson, marking the third such case reported this year. In May, the father of a French cryptocurrency millionaire was abducted, while earlier this year, Ledger co-founder David Ballard was kidnapped along with his spouse, resulting in severe physical harm to both.

“I wish to express my deep concern regarding the severity of these criminal acts and my firm resolve to put an end to these intolerable assaults directed towards crypto-asset professionals, similar to those that targeted banks and jewelry boutiques previously,” Retailleau commented.