Crypto Executives Face Rising Kidnapping Threats Amid Bitcoin’s Price Surge

As Bitcoin breaches new highs, a dangerous trend emerges—crypto professionals becoming targets for abduction. The very wealth that digital assets create now attracts criminal elements looking for quick scores.

Security firms report increased incidents globally, with perpetrators specifically tracking individuals linked to major exchanges and DeFi protocols. It’s the dark side of crypto’s success story—where Lamborghinis and moon shots come with real-world risks.

Personal security measures have become non-negotiable for industry insiders. From encrypted communications to physical protection details, the crypto elite are adapting to their newfound visibility. Because nothing says 'financial revolution' like needing a bodyguard to check your portfolio.

This unsettling pattern mirrors traditional finance's historical vulnerabilities—just without the fancy office buildings or federal insurance. Welcome to the decentralized future, where your private keys might need protection from more than just hackers.

— Beau (@beausecurity) August 27, 2025

According to reports from franceinfo, the victim was held hostage, assaulted, and ordered to transfer funds he did not possess. When he failed to comply, the kidnappers contacted one of his friends, sending a photo of the ex-trader kneeling with his hands tied and a weapon aimed at him.

The friend alerted police, who rushed to the victim’s home where his wife confirmed he was missing. Authorities later traced his mobile phone to Paris’s 10th arrondissement. Eventually, around 4 a.m., the man returned home, visibly battered and deeply traumatized.

A Global Surge in “Wrench Attacks” Against Crypto Holders

The incident follows alarming warnings from industry leaders. Earlier this month at the Baltic Honeybadger 2025 conference, Alena Vranova, founder of SatoshiLabs, revealed a surge in so-called “wrench attacks” — physical assaults designed to force crypto owners to hand over their assets.

Data suggests at least one such attack occurs every week globally, with some kidnappings demanding as little as $6,000. The threat affects not only high-net-worth individuals but also smaller investors, making security a growing concern across the crypto sector.

French Authorities Step In — But Is It Enough?

To counter risks, the French government recently authorized crypto entrepreneurs to hide their personal addresses in business registries. While this measure aims to limit exposure, experts warn it is not enough.

Vranova highlighted that sensitive information on more than 80 million Bitcoin and crypto holders has already leaked online, often through exchange hacks or compromised wallet applications. In May 2025, Coinbase itself suffered a major data breach, further exacerbating the problem.

Bitcoin’s Price Correlated With Physical Attacks

Analysts also point to a troubling pattern: as Bitcoin’s price climbs during bull markets, incidents of kidnapping and extortion rise in parallel. For many investors, the Optimism of a rally is now tempered by fear — with the promise of profits shadowed by the threat of physical violence.

This latest Paris kidnapping adds to a mounting list of cases that raise urgent questions about how crypto investors, traders, and entrepreneurs can protect themselves in an increasingly hostile environment. Having a SAFE and secure crypto wallet could be a good way against real-world threats.

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