France Sees Cryptocurrency Kidnapping Case Again: Thugs Torture and Extort $9 Million, Bitcoin Holders' Security Risks Escalate

Gate News reports that on March 20, a violent kidnapping incident related to cryptocurrency occurred in Savoie, France. The parents of a crypto industry professional were violently abducted and abused, with the criminals demanding a ransom of up to $9 million, raising serious concerns about the personal safety of digital asset holders.

According to local police, the suspects broke into the victims’ home, kidnapped a retired couple to an unknown location, and subjected them to violence. The male victim was injured on the head, and his wife was repeatedly cut with a sharp object on her back. The entire attack was filmed and used to pressure their son, who works in the crypto industry, to pay a large ransom; otherwise, the violence would escalate.

The incident occurred in mid-January 2026, and the victims were released two days later near Drôme, France. Currently, French law enforcement has arrested seven suspects, including six men and one woman, charging them with organized crime, kidnapping, extortion, and money laundering. The case is still under further investigation.

This is not an isolated case. In recent years, France has seen frequent violent crimes targeting Bitcoin and other digital asset holders, including knife threats, kidnappings for ransom, and even arson attacks. Police note that such crimes often target high-value on-chain assets, using “physical coercion” to obtain private keys or transfer permissions.

Industry experts believe that, unlike traditional financial assets, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible once completed, making such crimes more attractive. Additionally, since some cases are not publicly disclosed, the actual risks may be underestimated.

As Bitcoin prices and holdings continue to grow, personal asset security is becoming a major concern in the crypto market. Experts recommend that users enhance privacy protections, avoid revealing personal information, and consider security measures like multi-signature wallets and cold storage to reduce the risk of attack.