France Reports 77 Crypto Kidnappings and Extortion Cases

Nuñez wants to lean on ADAN, faster intelligence sharing, and tighter coordination to curb violence against crypto holders and companies, while foreign masterminds are also coming into focus.

Key Takeaways

• France has recorded 77 crypto-related kidnappings, extortion cases, and attempts since January, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.
• The security plan focuses on more intelligence sharing, closer cooperation with ADAN, and better coordination with domestic and foreign authorities.
• Several incidents followed in 2026, including an attempted break-in at Binance France and extortion cases involving 900.000 euro and 700.000 euro.

France has logged 77 crypto-related kidnappings, extortion cases, and attempted attacks since January, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. Alongside that update, he unveiled a security plan he says needs to be more ambitious if France wants to better protect crypto holders, as the country again finds itself in the spotlight for violent crypto crime.

Three Pillars of the Plan

Nuñez met this week with members of the Association pour le Développement des Actifs Numériques, better known as ADAN. According to BFMTV, the strategy is built around three main pillars: stronger intelligence sharing, closer work with ADAN, and tighter coordination between French agencies and foreign authorities.

The minister described intelligence sharing as “fundamental and extremely effective.” A major part of the effort is to collect more information on the criminal groups behind the attacks, especially since the people directing them are sometimes based outside France. The plan also calls for a network of experts that would let market participants and relevant state agencies exchange information more quickly.

Wave of Attacks in 2026

The latest figures come after a series of incidents that have kept officials on edge for months. In April, French authorities said there had already been at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, or roughly one case every two to three days. The 77 incidents reported since January suggest the pressure on the sector has only grown since then.

A number of high-profile cases then followed in quick succession in 2026. In February, intruders tried to break into the home of the CEO of Binance France. He was not home, and the attackers left with two phones. In March, fake police officers stole 900.000 euro in Bitcoin from a couple, and in April, two men extorted 700.000 euro from a family of five.

Why This Matters Beyond France

For European crypto readers, the bigger point is that these cases go far beyond the individual victims. They also raise the stakes for the security of crypto companies, wallets, and personal data. Earlier reporting had already pointed to a wider rise in physical attacks on crypto holders in 2025, which shows that security is becoming just as important as market prices and regulation.

French officials are now trying to trace the networks behind these crimes, including the role of foreign masterminds. How well that effort works will help determine whether the crypto sector can operate with less risk in France.