Two armed men raided a family home in Ploudalmézeau, a town in northwestern France, forcing their way in and stealing roughly €700,000 ($820,000) worth of cryptocurrency. According to local media reports, at the time of the attack, the household included a mother, her two young children, and their grandparents. The intruders held the family at gunpoint for over three hours, restraining them on the floor and demanding access to their digital assets. Under duress, the mother provided access to the crypto wallets. After successfully transferring the funds, the assailants fled the scene.
Neighbor intervention averted greater harm
The attackers managed to escape the neighborhood using the family’s own car after a neighbor intervened. The neighbor, alerted by an alarm, took action in a way that forced the robbers to leave before the situation could escalate further. Later that evening, police discovered the stolen vehicle abandoned in the city of Brest.
Authorities have opened an investigation led by the gendarmerie research unit in Rennes. As of this report, there have been no arrests or detentions announced. French law enforcement has noted a concerning rise in cases involving physical violence or kidnapping targeting crypto owners in recent months.
Surge in crypto-related robberies
This latest incident underlines the growing trend of assaults linked to digital assets in France, which have increased markedly over the past two years. Judicial police records show that since January, the country has logged more than 40 cases of abduction or hostage-taking related to cryptocurrencies. By comparison, approximately 30 such incidents were recorded throughout 2025, highlighting a significant upward trend.
Earlier in March, attackers disguised as police officers broke into the home of a couple in their fifties near Paris, forcing them to transfer €900,000 ($1 million) worth of bitcoin before escaping. In another February case, three armed intruders attempted and failed to rob David Princay, the head of Binance France. The suspects raided two separate addresses, stole two phones, and were later apprehended at Lyon Perrache station.
Another notable incident involved an attempted kidnapping of a magistrate and her mother. The perpetrators reportedly demanded a crypto ransom and threatened physical violence. This attempt resulted in six arrests.
Increased law enforcement action on crypto crimes
Last year, researcher ZachXBT revealed he had assisted in resolving a high-profile kidnapping case involving French content creator TeufeurS. Attackers abducted family members and demanded a $2 million ransom. Joint efforts with Binance’s security team resulted in $800,000 being frozen and the eventual detention of six suspects.
These recent incidents demonstrate that crypto investors in France no longer face only cyber fraud but are increasingly exposed to direct physical threats. Police records indicate that authorities are under mounting pressure as they try to keep pace with new forms of crime linked to digital assets.
Numbers of such attacks in France are soaring, with over 40 cases recorded in recent months and significant cryptocurrency losses reported.
The wave of violent incidents highlights the need for more robust physical and digital security measures for those holding substantial crypto assets. While investors and exchanges have traditionally been concerned about online threats, these cases show that real-world risks are quickly catching up.
Police and cybercrime specialists are warning the public to exercise additional caution when dealing with large digital asset holdings. Common recommendations include avoiding the disclosure of crypto ownership and implementing advanced security protocols both online and offline.
Authorities are collaborating with crypto exchanges to identify stolen assets promptly and to enhance cooperation in freezing funds linked to criminal activity. These coordinated efforts have contributed to a number of recent arrests and the partial recovery of stolen cryptocurrencies.
As the prevalence of crypto-related attacks rises, law enforcement agencies across France are investing in new investigative tools and training to address the evolving challenges. However, experts caution that the pace of criminal innovation around digital currencies remains a pressing concern.
