France Sees Surge in Crypto Trader Kidnappings Near Paris

A 35-year-old former cryptocurrency trader named Alexandre was kidnapped near Paris and held captive between Paris and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with kidnappers demanding a ransom of €10,000. He was found released early Wednesday morning, suffering from facial swelling and injuries after being strangled until losing consciousness. This incident highlights a growing trend of violent kidnappings targeting crypto traders and entrepreneurs in France, where at least ten such cases have been reported recently, making the country a hotspot for crypto-related violent crime. Authorities have linked these crimes to organized criminal networks, often operating from abroad, who use rudimentary but brutal tactics including phone geolocation and physical coercion. High-profile cases such as the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland and attempts on other crypto executives illustrate the ongoing threat. French police and anti-crime squads are actively investigating these cases and have arrested numerous suspects, but the danger to crypto investors remains significant amid an increasing wave of such attacks.