French Interior Minister Unveils Three-Pillar Plan After 77 Crypto Crime Incidents

France has documented 77 incidents of crypto-related kidnappings, extortions, and attempted crimes since the start of 2026, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced this week while presenting a new security framework aimed at protecting digital asset holders in the country.

Nuñez delivered the figures and outlined the new action plan before members of the Association pour le Développement des Actifs Numériques (ADAN), the French digital assets industry association. The number represents a significant increase compared to the prior year and reinforces France's position as a focal point for violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders globally.

The security plan rests on three core pillars. First, strengthening intelligence sharing — which Nuñez described as 'fundamental and extremely effective' — focuses on gathering deeper information about criminal networks behind these attacks, noting that those commissioning the crimes are sometimes operating from abroad. Second, expanding the partnership with ADAN by establishing a dedicated network of experts connecting industry participants with relevant state agencies. Third, improving operational coordination between government departments to neutralize offenders and deepening cooperation with foreign states where perpetrators are known to reside.

The announcement comes after months of mounting concern. As recently as April 2026, French authorities had already counted at least 41 crypto-related kidnappings and home invasions, a pace averaging roughly one incident every two to three days. The updated figure of 77 incidents indicates the situation has accelerated further.

Several high-profile cases in 2026 contributed directly to the policy response. In February, intruders broke into the home of Binance France's chief executive; the executive was not present and the attackers fled with two phones. In March, individuals posing as police officers robbed a couple of 900,000 euros worth of Bitcoin (BTC). In April, two men extorted 700,000 euros from a family of five.

The trend had been escalating throughout 2025 as well. A prominent incident in January 2025 involved the abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner by kidnappers, a case that drew widespread international attention to the vulnerabilities faced by prominent figures in the crypto industry.

The new plan's effectiveness will ultimately depend on whether French authorities can translate the three-pillar framework into measurable reductions in violent incidents. Coordination with foreign governments is considered a critical component, given that criminal organizers behind these attacks frequently operate beyond French jurisdiction. The partnership with ADAN is expected to improve information flow between private sector actors and law enforcement agencies monitoring threats to digital asset holders.