Executives in the crypto industry are increasingly seeking bodyguard services due to heightened security concerns and a series of kidnapping attempts, particularly in France.
As reported by Bloomberg, Infinite Risks International, a private security firm based in Amsterdam, has noted a rise in inquiries for personal security and longer-term contracts.
French law enforcement announced in 2025 that they are ramping up security for crypto entrepreneurs and investors, with at least three recent kidnapping cases prompting this decision.
The new measures involve quicker access to security briefings and police assistance during emergencies for business owners and their families.
Authorities have also advised crypto investors to refrain from showcasing their wealth or wearing clothing associated with cryptocurrency to lower their risk of becoming targets. This unsettling trend highlights the urgent need for increased security and awareness among crypto professionals.
Recent Kidnapping Attempts in France
David Balland, a co-founder of hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped in January 2025 and held for ransom for several days before being rescued by the police.
In May 2024, the father of an unidentified crypto entrepreneur was released from a hostage situation after law enforcement officers intervened at a location near Paris where organized criminals were holding him captive.
According to reports, one of the kidnappers amputated a finger from the victim, a gruesome act reminiscent of another incident involving crypto-related crimes in France.
Then, on May 13, an attempted kidnapping targeted the family of Pierre Noizat, co-founder and CEO of the French crypto exchange Paymium. Several masked attackers assaulted the family on the street, attempting to force Noizat’s daughter and grandson into a vehicle during broad daylight.
Fortunately, the daughter and a nearby bystander fought back against the assailants, which caused them to flee and prevented the family from being harmed.
This alarming rise in violence shook the crypto community, leading French Home Minister Bruno Reciro to discuss security measures in urgent meetings with industry leaders, suggesting improved protection for vulnerable crypto experts and affluent investors.
