Armed Home Invasion of Crypto Professional in France
In a harrowing incident from early April, a crypto professional in France faced an armed home invasion when a man disguised as a delivery person attempted to steal his digital assets at gunpoint. This alarming event occurred on April 11 in Montpellier, highlighting the alarming trend of violent “wrench” attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders in the country.
Details of the Incident
As the attacker forced entry into the family home, he rounded up the victim, his spouse, and their children in the living area, demanding access to the victim’s cryptocurrency wallets while brandishing a firearm. Confusion during the confrontation provided a brief opportunity for the victim, a 40-year-old crypto worker, to engage in a struggle for the weapon, ultimately managing to disarm his assailant. Meanwhile, neighbors alerted the authorities, leading to a police manhunt that concluded with the arrest of a 25-year-old male suspect from the Hérault region, who has been formally charged with attempted armed robbery in a Montpellier court.
Rising Trend of Crypto-Related Crimes
This incident is not an isolated case; it reflects a disturbing pattern of increasing physical crimes associated with cryptocurrency in France. Recent data indicate a surge in robberies and kidnappings linked to digital currency, with law enforcement reporting at least 41 instances of crypto-related kidnappings in the first few months of 2026 alone, demonstrating a dramatic rise compared to just around 20 cases reported from 2023 to 2025. Notably, by mid-2025, France accounted for half of the global incidents of kidnappings for cryptocurrency ransom, attributed in part to Paris’s ambition to become a leading hub for cryptocurrency activity.
Threats to Prominent Figures
Prominent figures in the crypto space have also faced similar threats. Earlier in February, an armed home invasion targeting David Prinçay, the president of Binance France, occurred in Val-de-Marne, but the attackers fled upon realizing he was absent. Moreover, various gangs have taken to abducting family members of crypto executives in and around Paris, while a March incident near Versailles saw a couple coerced at knifepoint into transferring approximately $1 million in Bitcoin to attackers posing as law enforcement.
Response from Authorities
In response to this growing menace, French authorities are rolling out preventative strategies aimed at protecting crypto practitioners, including the establishment of specialized police units, heightened security measures at events like Paris Blockchain Week, and public awareness campaigns. However, for everyday crypto workers, the recent gunpoint attack serves as a stark reminder that safeguarding one’s assets has become intertwined with personal safety measures, highlighting the need to reassess home security protocols and cautious communication regarding their digital wealth.
