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Wednesday, May 14, 2025
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Cryptocurrency Executive's Family Targeted in Paris Kidnapping Attempt
Masked assailants attempted to abduct the daughter of a cryptocurrency executive and her child in Paris, highlighting rising violence against crypto figures.
In a startling incident in Paris, three masked men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of a notable cryptocurrency executive on Tuesday morning in the 11th district of the city.
The incident, which occurred around 08:20 local time, was partially captured on video by an onlooker.
According to police sources, the woman, a relative of the co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange platform Paymium, was out with her child when the attackers emerged from a white van and confronted the family.
The family fought back against the assailants, with the woman's husband reportedly sustaining multiple blows to the head while attempting to protect them.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the couple called for help, and passers-by began to intervene.
At one point, the daughter managed to seize a firearm from an attacker and threw it into the street, which was later identified as a replica air gun.
The situation escalated quickly, with initial onlookers hesitant to assist.
However, as more locals began to react, the attackers abandoned their attempt and fled the scene in the van, which was driven away by a fourth gang member.
One daring bystander reportedly threw a fire extinguisher at the vehicle as it sped off.
The family received treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital.
This incident is part of a troubling trend in France, where cryptocurrency executives and their relatives have increasingly become targets for violent crimes.
Just over a week prior, French police successfully rescued the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire who had been kidnapped while walking his dog and held for ransom; he was released three days later with one of his fingers severed by the kidnappers.
In January, another incident involved David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency wallet firm Ledger, who was abducted alongside his wife at their home in central France.
Reports indicated that he was returned to safety with a finger missing after a week of captivity.
The Paris police brigade specializing in armed robbery is expected to take over the investigation of the current case, as fears grow over the targeting of cryptocurrency figures and the violent tactics employed by their captors.
The incident, which occurred around 08:20 local time, was partially captured on video by an onlooker.
According to police sources, the woman, a relative of the co-founder of the French Bitcoin exchange platform Paymium, was out with her child when the attackers emerged from a white van and confronted the family.
The family fought back against the assailants, with the woman's husband reportedly sustaining multiple blows to the head while attempting to protect them.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the couple called for help, and passers-by began to intervene.
At one point, the daughter managed to seize a firearm from an attacker and threw it into the street, which was later identified as a replica air gun.
The situation escalated quickly, with initial onlookers hesitant to assist.
However, as more locals began to react, the attackers abandoned their attempt and fled the scene in the van, which was driven away by a fourth gang member.
One daring bystander reportedly threw a fire extinguisher at the vehicle as it sped off.
The family received treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital.
This incident is part of a troubling trend in France, where cryptocurrency executives and their relatives have increasingly become targets for violent crimes.
Just over a week prior, French police successfully rescued the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire who had been kidnapped while walking his dog and held for ransom; he was released three days later with one of his fingers severed by the kidnappers.
In January, another incident involved David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency wallet firm Ledger, who was abducted alongside his wife at their home in central France.
Reports indicated that he was returned to safety with a finger missing after a week of captivity.
The Paris police brigade specializing in armed robbery is expected to take over the investigation of the current case, as fears grow over the targeting of cryptocurrency figures and the violent tactics employed by their captors.
