Overview

• Four masked men attempted to kidnap the pregnant daughter, son-in-law, and grandson of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat in Paris on May 13, but were thwarted by the husband and a neighbor armed with a fire extinguisher.
• The attack marks the third high-profile kidnapping or attempted abduction targeting cryptocurrency executives or their families in France since January 2025.
• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an emergency meeting with crypto industry leaders on May 16, announcing enhanced security measures including priority police access, home safety consultations, and safety briefings.
• French organized crime units are investigating the latest incident, with arrests already made in connection to prior kidnappings earlier this year.
• The wave of attacks has prompted fear and anger within France's crypto community, with calls for tougher crime enforcement and debates over regulatory reforms to address security vulnerabilities.