41 Crypto Kidnappings in France: Government Announces Unprecedented Protection Plan

ByVictor

📋 En bref (TL;DR)

  • 41 kidnappings linked to crypto in France since the start of 2026 — one every 2.5 days
  • Jean-Didier Berger, France’s Deputy Interior Minister, announces a protection plan at Paris Blockchain Week on April 16
  • France accounts for 40% of crypto attacks in Europe — the most targeted country worldwide
  • A prevention platform has been launched, already attracting thousands of registrations
  • Physical attacks surged 75% in 2025 globally (72 confirmed cases by CertiK)
  • Paris Blockchain Week doubled its security this year in response to the threat

One kidnapping every two and a half days. That’s the rate of “crypto-nappings” in France since January 1, 2026. On April 16, at the Carrousel du Louvre, Deputy Interior Minister Jean-Didier Berger took the stage at Paris Blockchain Week to announce an unprecedented protection plan.

It’s the first time a French government official has publicly addressed the physical security of cryptocurrency holders. A strong signal reflecting the scale of a crisis that has become impossible to ignore.

41 kidnappings in 100 days: France, the global epicenter

The numbers are damning. 41 cases of kidnappings, hostage situations, or violent attacks linked to crypto have been recorded in France since January 2026. The country alone accounts for 40% of crypto attacks in Europe.

The latest case: on April 12, French police freed a mother and her child after a kidnapping with a $400,000 crypto ransom demand. Victims are no longer just “whales” (large holders). Individuals with just a few thousand euros in their portfolio are now being targeted.

Globally, physical attacks against crypto holders surged 75% in 2025, with 72 confirmed cases by security firm CertiK. France tops the list, ahead of the United Kingdom and the United States.

The causes are multiple. Massive data breaches (Ledger in 2020, then other platforms) exposed the personal details of hundreds of thousands of French holders. The French government platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr published a specific alert report on data breaches in the crypto sector in early 2026.

The Berger plan: from alerting to organized protection

During his speech at Paris Blockchain Week, Jean-Didier Berger outlined the first measures. A dedicated prevention platform for crypto holders has been launched. It has attracted thousands of registrations within days.

The minister announced he is working with Laurent Nuñez (Paris Police Prefect) on a more comprehensive plan, expected in the coming weeks. The approaches being considered:

  • Strengthening specialized units in crypto crime within police and gendarmerie
  • Enhanced collaboration with exchanges for ransom tracing
  • Awareness campaigns on physical security best practices (discretion, storage)
  • Data protection for crypto investors’ personal information held by service providers

This is a paradigm shift. Until now, France addressed crypto primarily through taxation and regulation. Now, the state recognizes it as a sensitive patrimonial asset requiring physical protection — on par with a safe deposit box or valuable jewelry.

Paris Blockchain Week under high security

The 2026 edition of Paris Blockchain Week (April 15-16, Carrousel du Louvre) doubled its security measures. Enhanced entrance screening, plainclothes agents, coordination with the Paris Police Prefecture.

The presence of ministers and members of parliament at the event constitutes a historic signal according to organizers. For the first time, the French political class is treating crypto as a public safety issue rather than merely a technology or finance topic.

The timing is deliberate. Bitcoin Conference 2026 will be held in May, and several major crypto events are planned in France through the summer. The government seeks to reassure before this unprecedented concentration of crypto holders on French soil.

How to protect yourself as a crypto holder

While awaiting government measures, experts recommend several precautions:

  • Never publicly disclose your crypto holdings (social media, forums)
  • Use a decoy wallet with a small amount in case of physical threats
  • Enable timelocks on your wallets to prevent immediate withdrawals under duress
  • Prefer self-custody with multi-signature solutions requiring multiple approvals
  • Diversify storage locations for recovery phrases (bank vault, trusted person)

Glossary

  • Crypto-napping (wrench attack): kidnapping or hostage-taking aimed at obtaining a cryptocurrency ransom. Also called “$5 wrench attack” in the crypto community — referencing that the cheapest attack bypasses all digital security.
  • Paris Blockchain Week: major annual blockchain and cryptocurrency conference held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris. 2026 edition: April 15-16.
  • Self-custody: a storage model where users directly control their private keys, without relying on a third-party platform. Protects against exchange bankruptcies but exposes to physical risk.
  • Decoy wallet: a crypto wallet containing a small amount, designed to be shown under physical threat. Most hardware wallets allow creating one via a hidden passphrase.
  • Timelock: a technical mechanism that prevents spending bitcoins before a predefined delay. Makes physical coercion for immediate withdrawals pointless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is France so heavily targeted by crypto kidnappings?

France accounts for 40% of crypto attacks in Europe. Data breaches (Ledger 2020, other platforms) exposed hundreds of thousands of French holders’ personal details. Perceived wealth and lack of discretion on social media compound the risk. Crypto risks explained

What measures is the French government preparing?

Minister Jean-Didier Berger announced a comprehensive plan including a prevention platform, specialized police units, collaboration with exchanges for ransom tracing, and awareness campaigns for crypto holders.

How can I protect my crypto against physical attacks?

Never publicly disclose your holdings, use a decoy wallet, enable timelocks on your wallets, and prefer multi-signature solutions. Diversify recovery phrase storage locations across bank vaults and trusted contacts. Securing your crypto

What is a decoy wallet and how do I create one?

It’s a crypto wallet with a small amount, to present under physical threat. Hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor allow creating a hidden account protected by a separate passphrase.

Do crypto kidnappings only target large holders?

No. Recent victims include individuals with just a few thousand euros in their portfolio. Criminals now target anyone identified as a crypto holder, regardless of the amount.

Sources

This article is based on the following sources:

How to cite this article:
Fibo Crypto. (2026). 41 Crypto Kidnappings in France: Government Announces Unprecedented Protection Plan. Retrieved April 17, 2026 from https://fibo-crypto.fr/en/blog/france-crypto-kidnapping-protection-plan-2026

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