- The daughter of a French cryptocurrency CEO has narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt in Paris
- She and her toddler were attacked by masked assailants but managed to fight them off with the help of her partner and passersby
- The incident has been linked to a growing trend of targeting crypto-affiliated individuals and their families
In a harrowing incident on May 13, 2025, the daughter of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, was targeted in a kidnapping attempt while walking with her two-year-old child in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. Three masked men attacked the family, attempting to force them into a van, but thanks to the quick actions of her partner and nearby pedestrians, the assailants were thwarted, and the family escaped with minor injuries. The incident represents an escalation of such incidents, which have seen individuals, in some cases, suffer mutilation.
Escalation of Attacks
Around 8:20 a.m., the woman, her partner, and their child were approached by three masked men who leapt from a white van disguised with Chronopost delivery logos. The attackers attempted to force the woman and child into the vehicle, but her partner intervened, shielding them and sustaining multiple blows, including a suspected stab wound.
During the struggle, the woman managed to disarm one attacker, throwing the weapon away. Passersby joined in, one hurling a fire extinguisher at the assailants, prompting them to flee. The van was later found abandoned nearby:
If you’re in crypto, Paris is no longer safe for you.
“The daughter of a cryptocurrency company executive narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt this morning in the heart of Paris. (Le Parisien)”
In plain day. 🫠pic.twitter.com/TO29wo8C0H
— Farokh (Perma/Bull) (@farokh) May 13, 2025
Investigation and Motive
The Paris prosecutor’s office has assigned the Brigade de Répression du Banditisme to investigate the incident, but given the family’s ties to the cryptocurrency industry, financial motives seem apparent. This attack is part of a disturbing trend of targeting crypto entrepreneurs and their families; in a similar case earlier this year, David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, was kidnapped and mutilated, with a ransom demanded in cryptocurrency. Two weeks ago, the father of an unnamed wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur was abducted in broad daylight from a street in Paris’s 14th arrondissement, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of around $8 million. To exert pressure, the kidnappers amputated one of the victim’s fingers and sent it to his son.
France has reported at least six such incidents this year, including kidnappings and ransom demands involving mutilation. Security experts warn that the decentralized and often anonymous nature of cryptocurrency holdings makes crypto-affiliated individuals attractive targets for criminals. As investigations continue, the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures for those involved in the cryptocurrency industry.
