In France, executives from crypto firms Ledger and Paymium were targeted in a series of violent attacks, including kidnappings, earlier in 2026.
These incidents underscore rising security concerns for crypto executives, prompting French authorities to enhance protective measures amid criticism over EU data collection rules.
Crypto executives in France, including those from Ledger and Paymium, have faced grave security threats in 2026. These incidents highlight the increased targeting of these individuals and their families by criminals.
The attacks emphasize an urgent need for enhanced security around crypto leaders, with the French Interior Minister committing to better coordination with crypto firms.
Increased Targeting of French Crypto Executives in 2026
The Ledger co-founder was kidnapped earlier this year, suffering severe injuries before being rescued. Additionally, an attempted abduction of the Paymium CEO’s daughter was thwarted, raising concerns about the risks faced by those in the crypto sector.
French Ministry Commits to Crypto Leader Protection
These attacks emphasize the urgent need for enhanced security around crypto leaders. The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has committed to better coordination between police and crypto firms to prevent future incidents.
The crypto industry sees rising security concerns as a potential financial and regulatory challenge. Historical data show an increase in personal security expenditures, as seen with Coinbase’s $6 million security budget for its CEO in 2024.
New Wave of Crimes Targets Crypto Wealth
The recent attacks on French crypto executives mark a new wave of crimes not seen in preceding years. They are part of a broader trend of targeting individuals based on perceived wealth from cryptocurrency holdings.
Michael Arrington, of TechCrunch, implies that data leaks contributing to such vulnerability could have fatal consequences for crypto holders.
“Something that has to be said though – this hack – which includes home addresses and account balances – will lead to people dying. It probably has already.”
These incidents call for stronger privacy measures and regulatory scrutiny to safeguard individuals in the crypto space.
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