France is preparing a security tightening in the face of crypto-related kidnappings. The subject is no longer just financial. He becomes a policeman, a politician and almost an industrialist.
In brief
- France is preparing new measures against crypto kidnappings.
- Visible holders become targets for criminal groups.
- Physical security is becoming a central issue for the ecosystem.
Crypto leaves the technical debate
France wants to toughen its response against crypto kidnappings. Jean-Didier Berger, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior, announced at Paris Blockchain Week that new measures were in preparation. He is working with Laurent Nuñez on a broader plan, expected in the coming weeks.
Crypto holders are no longer only exposed to hacks, scams or platform failures. They also become physical targets. This shift changes everything. It requires the State to treat crypto as a sensitive heritage asset.
A prevention platform has already been launched. It would have attracted several thousand registrations. But this answer remains a first step. Faced with the multiplication of attacks, France now seems to want to move from a logic of alert to a logic of organized protection.
A threat that targets visible holders
The latest reported case has reignited the pressure. In Burgundy, a mother and her child were kidnappedwhile the kidnappers demanded a ransom from the father, presented as a crypto entrepreneur. The victims were released and several suspects arrested. This type of case reveals a simple flaw. Many crypto players live in a culture of visibility. They talk about wallet, earnings, business, bitcoin or altcoins on the networks. This exposure can become an open card for criminal groups.
Crypto security is therefore no longer limited to a well-guarded recovery phrase. It also concerns public habits, travel, loved ones and information left online. The safe is no longer just digital. Sometimes it starts at the door of the house.
Since the start of 2026, 41 kidnappings or attacks linked to crypto have been recorded in France. This would amount to one incident approximately every two and a half days. The phenomenon does not come out of nowhere. In 2025, physical attacks against cryptocurrency holders will increase by 75% worldwide, with 72 cases confirmed by CertiK. France would have concentrated 19 cases, the highest level among the countries monitored.
This statistic damages the French image. Paris wants to attract talent, capital and blockchain startups. But an innovative ecosystem cannot thrive if its entrepreneurs must live like targets. Trust does not only depend on regulation. It also depends on real security. It is also up to users to increase their vigilance, especially since a scam recently circulated via a popular notes application.
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