France is increasingly dominating cryptoasset-related physical attack headlines this year, as another attempt to kidnap family members of a crypto entrepreneur happened in broad daylight in Paris on Tuesday.
Various videos from witnesses have emerged online, showing how several masked men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, the co-founder and CEO of Paymium, a French cryptoasset trading platform running for over a decade, in the morning in Paris.
The attempt to force the woman and the toddler into a van failed as the child’s father fought the criminals off, with the help of a man who threw a fire extinguisher at the attackers, forcing them to flee.
According to local media reports, the attacked family was taken to the hospital with light injuries.
"For the record, this is exactly how you should respond if someone tries to kidnap you. Fight like hell as long as you are still conscious; don't allow them to transport you to a different location," said Jameson Lopp, a Bitcoin security expert, co-founder, and Chief Technology Officer of cryptoasset custody solutions firm Casa.
ADMIN POST.
undefined Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) May 13, 2025
undefinedModern Franceundefined this morning as armed kidnappers attack and attempt to kidnap relatives of a crypto currency entrepreneur in the centre of Paris in broad daylight. pic.twitter.com/RdNB2anCgS
Other commenters reminded people to make as much noise as possible and shout "Help, Fire" to draw more attention.
Meanwhile, Paymium posted on X, quoting its strategy director Alexandre Stachtchenko, that the best way to protect yourself is discretion: "Being into crypto is nobody’s business but your own."
"Knowing what to share, how, and with whom is a habit to adopt," the platform added.
Cybernews has already reported on multiple cryptoasset-related physical attack cases this year, with France leading the headlines. Out of 22 registered attacks in 2024, six happened in France, according to a public database run by Lopp.
At least two cases have become public in the US, while industry observers claim the real number is much higher, as victims often choose not to go public. In Europe, one case was registered in Spain. Two attacks occurred in Brazil, while the rest were recorded in various Asian countries.
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